STARTED only five years ago, the North Yorkshire Smallholders' Society has just reached 500 members.

The society was formed to meet the needs of smallholders throughout the North of England by Mrs Pat Walker, a breeder of rare sheep.

She is secretary and her husband Roger, who works off-shore, is chairman, and they are also joint presidents.

Mrs Walker, whose smallholding is at Pickhill, near Thirsk, said: "I was looking for a similar organisation myself but discovered there wasn't one, so, when my husband said he would help, we decided to set one up ourselves. We have gone from strength to strength since then."

The society now publishes a quarterly newsletter and organises social events and training courses.

Mrs Walker can be contacted on 001845 567471. The society also has a web page at www.smallholder.org.uk.