A MAN who spends weekends and holidays at his caravan is hoping to start a business on land beside it breeding millions of worms.

Phil Shute, a supervisor on a Government training scheme, wants to build six worm-beds on his four-acre plot at Mickleton, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

He said that if planning permission was approved by Teesdale District Council, he will eventually employ two or three workers.

Mr Shute has already started breeding high-grade worms in a greenhouse behind his home in Elton Road, Darlington, ready to launch the business.

He and wife, Wynn, spend much of their spare time at the caravan since he bought it along with the land in Yarker Lane, Mickleton, a few years ago.

He said: "I thought about doing something useful with the land and hit on the idea of worms.

"I have done a lot of research into breeding them, and feel this will be an ideal way to build up a business.

"Worms breed well in beds filled with horse manure, and produce material rich in nutrients that is a top-grade fertiliser.

"The worms can then be sold to fishing tackle suppliers as bait, while the material can be sold to garden centres or for land improvement projects."

Planning officer Katy Blareau said: "This is the first time we have dealt with a worm-producing scheme.

"We will have to study all the details before deciding if we can agree with it."

Marion Hutchinson, a member of Mickleton Parish Council, said: "This sounds like a first-class idea. It will be excellent if a few jobs can be created."

Chartered building consultant Andrew Foulds, who drew up the plans, said: "The idea is to set the beds into a slope so there won't be any harmful impact on the landscape."