THERE is a new hand at the helm of a traditional Swaledale firm inspired by the old lead miners.

In Elizabethan times, families from the area would supplement their income by knitting and selling hard-wearing woollen stockings, which were even favoured by royalty.

In the 1970s, the Hird family launched a business following in their footsteps, selling goods made from the fleeces of their 1,000-strong Swaledale flock.

Now a new generation in the shape of Kathleen Hird has taken over the reins - and she is already looking at new products to appeal to a wider market.

She said: "There is nothing better for keeping out the cold than a wool sweater and some of our customers have been buying from the business for years; the trouble is, good Swaledale doesn't wear out quickly enough."

Swaledale sweaters have already found their way as far as Saudi Arabia, but the family hopes the Internet will help spread the Swaledale name further

"I wont be diversifying too much though," said Kathleen. "My husband, Kenneth, will make sure of that!"