Sir, - It is with great sadness and anger that I now see along with other country people the rape of Bilsdale, where I was reared and my family farmed for many years.

Forty-six hectares of trees have disfigured the pleasant fields between Chopgate and Fangdale Beck. We love our dale and tourists come from home and abroad to see green fields, hedges and walls not trees en masse.

If they want to see loads of trees they go to places like Kielder Forest, not the North York Moors National Park where the lovely farmland has been loved for generations of both town and country folk.

These trees are not planted because of someone's green credentials. They are being planted in many places to milk grants set up by the powers that be who think they don't need farmers and the food they produce.

Perhaps if the price of oil goes on rising they will be glad of our food when cheap imports come to an end. Looking at trees won't fill an empty belly, Mr Blair and friends, and our lovely dale will be permanently disfigured. Has the Government gone mad?

FREDA PHALP

Aireyholme Farm,

Great Ayton.