THE Prince of Wales has given his support to an initiative designed to boost opportunities for youngsters to work on the North York Moors.

The Prince’s Countryside Trust – now celebrating its fifth anniversary – has awarded almost £50,000 to the Yorkshire Moors Agricultural Apprenticeship Scheme.

The scheme was created in order to enhance the upland farming skills base in the North York Moors for future generations and is an extension of an apprenticeship scheme previously supported by the Fund.

They will run a fourth phase of the scheme of supporting 10 new apprentices through an 18-month course.

During the course the apprentices will learn all aspects of the industry, working on farm but also completing their Level Two diploma in work-based agriculture and livestock production.

As well as the 10 apprentices, 18 local upland farmers will benefit by hosting apprentices on their farm.

The scheme’s project co-ordinator Nola Atkinson said she was delighted at the news.

“It provides us with the opportunity to increase the labour supply to upland hill farms, with the people who have the necessary skill sets to effectively manage the upland farm terrain that they graze their livestock on.

“It will have the benefit of maintaining and sustaining the unique heather moorland of the North York Moors with the ripple effect of encouraging tourists to the area, boosting the local economy.”