A CALL has gone out to young and old to get involved in a project to secure the future of farming.

The Cornerstone initiative, which will last for five years and will try help the a new generation of farmers by giving them new skills to make a living from the land, was launched this week at the Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes in North Yorkshire.

Project co-ordinator Mike Keeble explained: "Cornerstone is for all the parts of upland Britain where the ruminant animal reigns supreme."

He explained that the scheme was designed to support and encourage young entrepreneurs by providing them with loans and grants, but also to provide good advice.

Mr Keeble appealed to experienced people from all walks of life who wanted to put something back into the community to get involved in the project.

"There are lots of people who have maybe retired but who still have plenty of energy and lots of know-how - not consultants with a degree but people with real hands-on know-how of commerce, manufacturing advertising or marketing and who can be of real help."

He also appealed to the next generation of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs to come forward to benefit from Cornerstone's funding and advice.

Cornerstone is there to help anyone between 17 and 35.

For more information call Mike Keeble on 01677-460306 or fax on 01677-460407.