STRUGGLING upland farmers on the North York Moors have been given a lifeline by being paid to carry out age-old skills in the countryside.

The North York Moors National Park Authority and National Trust have joined forces to set up the Bransdale Conservation Scheme which covers some of the most spectacular scenery in the park, north of Kirkbymoorside.

Bob Dicker, property manager for the trust in the park, said: "The scheme is an opportunity to get much-needed conservation work carried out using the trust's tenant farmers."

The trust, which owns 2,000 acres of Bransdale, has 11 tenants farmers in the area.

"The farmers have many traditional skills which can be used, rather than bringing in outside contractors. It will help boost their incomes and aid the dale's economy," said Mr Dicker.

The work includes repairing and maintaining the miles of dry stone walls, which are a key feature of the landscape in Bransdale, with some dating back three centuries. Other work involves creating woodland, planting native trees, and caring for mature trees.

Restoring old hedge lines and hay meadows to benefit wildlife are also involved in the project, which is initially due to last five years.

Fraser Hugill, a conservation officer with the national park authority said the jointly funded scheme was an extension of the Farm Scheme, which already covers Bilsdale, Raisdale, Danby Dale, Westerdale, Rosedale and Farndale.