PLANS to extend an award-winning farm shop and tea room leading to about 16 new jobs have been approved.

Richmondshire District Council has given the go-ahead for Mainsgill Farm at East Layton, off the A66, to quadruple the size of its existing farm shop and tea room.

The business is owned and run by farmers Andrew and Maria Henshaw.

Renowned for its straw bale sculptures visible from the A66, the shop selling local produce and meat produced on the farm attracts many customers from the area, as well as passing motorists on the trans-Pennine route.

Mr Henshaw said: "Over the years, the farm shop has grown significantly.

"We have built up a loyal, local customer base and brought in visitors from the length and breadth of the country.

"The existing premises were becoming increasingly cramped. The extra floor space we are now able to create will improve the customer environment and provide additional preparation and storage areas for staff."

The farm already employs 35 people and the extension is expected to increase job The Henshaws bought Mainsgill Farm in 1995, but faced with decreasing prices in the pig market and the effects of BSE they opened a shop, initially selling their own meat.

A purpose built farm shop was built in 2001, with an expanded range of fresh meat, sausages, pies, pastries and cakes produced on site, and a small range of local produce made in North Yorkshire and South Durham.

The tea room opened in 2002 and, together with the farm shop, was extended four years later when a new cold store and butchery building was also added.