ENGLISH Nature has given its support to an agri-environment scheme, which is open to all farmers within the Teesdale pilot area.

The entry level scheme will pay for wildlife-friendly practices already in place, as well as encouraging new environmental work.

The agency's Stuart Hedley urged farmers to go to a launch meeting on Tuesday at 7pm at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge, near Barnard Castle.

"They will find out more about the scheme, how it will benefit the wildlife on their farms and what the financial rewards will be," he said.

A roughly triangular area between Barnard Castle, Bowes and Middleton in Teesdale has been selected as the pilot for upland areas.

English Nature is keen that farmers take up scheme options such as the management of rushy fields, which will benefit ground-nesting birds such as lapwing, snipe and curlew.

The agency has produced an illustrated advice leaflet, with the RSPB, for pilot area farmers, to help them choose the best entry level scheme options. These will be available at the launch meeting and follow-up workshops.