A SCHEME was launched this week to protect some of the region's most characteristic landscape, wildlife and historic features.

The Environmental Stewardship scheme is available to all farmers and land managers. Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has described it as one of the biggest changes to farming in a generation.

Depending upon the level of Environmental Stewardship, farmers can be paid from £30 to £60 per hectare.

Sir Don Curry, a Northumberland farmer and chairman of the Government's Sustainable Farming and Food Implementation Group, said: "It is essential that as many farmers as possible participate in the schemes, not only to demonstrate we have accepted our responsibilities but to make the most of this additional stream of income, which is available for every farm business."

William Salvin, a land agent in Teesdale, looks after an estate where nine farms are in the Countryside Stewardship Entry Level Scheme (ELS) pilot area.

Mr Salvin said: "ELS enhances good practice by incentivising desirable management practices and highlights those areas of interest and importance often nurtured by the farmer but taken for granted by the public at large."

Application packs are available from the Rural Development Service office at The Quadrant, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8NZ, (telephone 0845 6024097); further details online at: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm