A FARMING couple's dogged determination to survive the foot-and-mouth crisis has opened up a whole new world of business opportunities.

Sheep farmers Mandy and Marcus Bainbridge, of Laverock Hall, Egglestone, first launched Colliewobbles in 2001 in a bid to boost their farm's income.

It offers a range of gifts for border collie and dog lovers and has proved a success via mail order, on their internet web site and at agility, flyball and agricultural shows around the country.

Now the couple have launched "Ewe and your Collie" - a range of sheep dog and agility days on their farm.

"They are designed for people who want to get more out of their dog and for those who really want to understand them better," said Mr Bainbridge.

The courses on offer include a Sheepdog Day with Stuart Walton and his dogs Dug and Amos, the current 2002 English National Brace Champions, who have also appeared on One Man and his Dog.

Mrs Bainbridge is a member of the successful Barnie Bullets dog agility team and other courses include a Sheepdog/Clickers in Agility Day; a Beginners' Clicker Day, offering clicker training for dogs of all breeds and a Sheepdog/Agility Day for those wishing to experience sheepdog work as well as some agility training with a top UK instructor.

Mrs Bainbridge said: "We set up Colliewobbles because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, as we simply had no money coming in. The business is not even two years old yet, but is going really well and we're getting a lot of interest from customers using our web site.

"Having worked with sheepdogs for many years, we know just how clever and truly remarkable a champion sheepdog is.

"We wanted to give others the chance to learn about how their instincts have been fine-tuned over generations to produce the faithful border collies and working sheepdogs which excel in so many disciplines.

"Also, competing ourselves in agility and flyball, we meet many people who own border collies and would love the chance to learn more about their dog's instincts, as well as using the information in their own chosen sport."

The couple have won support from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme to launch the new courses and Mrs Bainbridge described that as "invaluable."

Adrian Sherwood, an adviser with Defra's Rural Development Service North-East, said: "Mandy and Marcus have already proved that diversification can not only help farmers through difficult times, but also produces real and lasting benefits for their business, and we're delighted to have been able to support them in this venture."

The Rural Enterprise Scheme is part of the England Rural Development Programme. Its primary aim is to help farmers adapt to changing markets and develop new business opportunities, but it also has a broader role in supporting the development of the rural economy, community, heritage and environment, making other rural enterprises and community groups eligible for funding.

The Bainbridges' web site is colliewobbles.com and they can also be contacted on 01833 650695.