APPRENTICES are being trained in age-old rural skills as part of a job-creation project in the North York Moors National Park.

They are being taught how to build dry stone walls, lay hedges, erect post and rail fences, and other traditional crafts under the guidance of Steve Young, the park's modern apprentice supervisor.

The eight strong team are rebuilding a centuries-old wall in the shadow of Rievaulx Abbey.

The abbey was a victim of the June 19 floods which swept through the Helmsley, Rievaulx, Bolton, Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe and Hawnby area.

Wayne Langley, 21, of York, had been working as a labourer in a warehouse before being taken on as an apprentice with the National Park.

He said: "It's a great chance for us. Not many people have the opportunity to work in such a great environment as this."

His sentiments were echoed by Daniel Nixon, 19 of Helmsley, who previously worked in a factory.

He said: "We couldn't ask for anything better. It's a smashing way of life."

The team is the second to have been taken on by the Helmsley-based National Park Authority.

Those in the original team all got jobs after completing their apprenticeships.

Two have become tree surgeons, one has become a self-employed conservation contractor, one is working for the National Park, and two for the Murton Grange Estate.

The new team, now five weeks into their apprenticeship, will be learning a wide range of skills over the next 15 months.

Mr Young said: "There is a wealth of work to be done in the park, especially resulting from the flood damage, but we are ensuring that the skills which were used to help make the National Park what it is today live on through future generations."