A GREEN holiday village on the tranquil outskirts of a town is also providing a retreat for sheep needing to get away from it all.

Natural Retreats, which has eco-friendly lodges at Aislabeck, North Yorkshire, is giving free grazing to a local sheep sanctuary.

A flock of about 30 Wensleydale sheep have moved into some of the meadows on the 54-acre site and are earning their keep by keeping the grass short.

The sheep come from the nearby Farmaround sanctuary, which was founded by Isobel Davies, who runs an organic produce delivery company from Richmond.

She has so far rescued 500 sheep, mainly Wensleydales and Swaledales, which would have been slaughtered because they were male or had defects such as missing a pregnancy or having black spots on a white fleece.

Their fleeces are used to make the Izzy Lane range of organic clothing, launched last year.

Natural Retreats manager Ian Winstanley said: "It is lovely to see the sheep in our fields. These animals have long been a major part of the Dales landscape, and Aislabeck is all about fitting into that environment.

"We have several acres of natural meadowland as part of the site, which needs to be grazed to retain its condition.

"The fact that we can do this while giving a home to some animals needing a new start in life is particularly rewarding. The sheep have also proved very popular with holidaymakers."

The holiday company donates a percentage of its profits to community and environmental causes. Recent donations included £1,500 to the accommodation section of the community website Richmond Online, and sponsorship of the town's shopping and eating guide