THE Weardale farming family hosting next month's North Sheep 2007 has no ambition to join agri-environment schemes.

Instead, the Skidmores, of North Hanging Wells, Eastgate, are focusing on maximising production.

John Skidmore said the landscape people love has been created by generations of sheep farmers.

He said: "To join a scheme such as entry-level or higher-level would be a retrograde step, not only for the wildlife, but for us."

The family - parents Bill and Vera, sons John and Maurice, and grandsons Ian, Malcolm and Andrew - will welcome an expected 8,000 farmers to the National Sheep Association's Northern regional event on June 6.

The Skidmores farm more than 5,000 acres, mostly between 1,000ft and 1,800ft of severely disadvantaged area and moorland.

The business revolves around North Hanging Wells - where the event takes place - and nearby Wolfcleugh.

They have more than 4,000 Swaledale ewes, 1,200 hoggs, 30 bluefaced Leicester ewes, and 150 suckler cows.

Their main income is from breeding females with mule gimmer lambs providing the core.

The pick of the crop are sold at Middleton-in-Teesdale or Kirkby Stephen marts, and the majority at the farm gate - 1,500 last year.

Most Swaledale replacements are selected from the purebred flock at Wolfcleugh. Another 500 ewes are offered at auction or at the farm gate.

The family also has a 650-acre lowland unit at Wynyard, near Sedgefield, where they have 1,200 Swaledale ewes for breeding mule lambs.

It supplies all the units with forage, cereals, straw and winter tack for 1,000 Swaledale hoggs.

While others have diversified, the Skidmores have concentrated on producing quality sheep and maintaining wildlife.

Maurice Skidmore said: "The farm is rich in waders, golden plover and other rare species, such as ring ouzels, simply because our livestock is creating an insect-rich environment."

Black Grouse numbers have also increased substantially.

* North Sheep will attract more than 8,000 visitors, 200 trade stands and a line-up of industry speakers. Details from Julie Sedgewick: 01388-664496 or at www.northsheep.org.uk