Environmental work has been carried out in the past year as a result of schemes pioneered by the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Project in North Yorkshire.

Paul Jackson, project manager for the scheme in Hovingham, said 1.7km of hedging had been planted, 50 metres of roadside walls repaired and bridges built.

Gates and fencing have been put up on miles of rights of way around the villages of Stonegrave, Hovingham, Terrington, Crayke, Ampleforth, Dalby, Coxwold, Husthwaite, and Nunnington. In addition, grants have been given towards planting four acres of native woodland.

The Howardian Hills AONB, which covers 79 square miles of North Yorkshire countryside, has been given a major boost after Defra, the Government's rural affairs ministry, gave it cash for its Sustainable Development Fund.

The fund has nearly £100,000 to spend this year in the Howardian Hills through grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals.