AN INNOVATIVE farm diversification idea has taken one Eden Valley family into the unlikely territory of lingerie and wedding dresses.

"I like to do things a bit differently," explained Tina Strong, as she described how she came up with the idea for The Wedding Barn business at Street House Farm, Bolton, near Appleby, which offers a full package of wedding services from dresses, suits and cakes, to videos, cars and stationery.

For the past five years Tina had been running a wedding car business, providing brides with cars and exclusively female chauffeurs for their big day.

Tina realised there was a gap in the market for the right person to offer the full service along similar lines.

Foot-and-mouth spurred Tina into action. The family lost their sheep in a cull in April 2001 and by May the disease struck the dairy herd, forcing the family to think hard about the future.

Tina said her husband did not want to give up farming, so she dreamed up The Wedding Barn.

With the help of entrepreneur advisor Joanna Elwen from the Rural Women's Network, Tina put together a business plan and applied for a Rural Enterprise Grant from DEFRA to help get the business off the ground.

Although the official launch of the Wedding Barn is not until May 1, the business is up and running already and can be reached on 01931-714434, or http://www.theweddingbarnltd.co.uk

April 16, 2003 11:00