AN enterprising farmer and his wife have created a cross-country course for horse riders alongside rolling fields as a diversification venture.

Andrew and Tracey Clarkson's idea to expand the income of their 200-acre farm at Thornthorpe, near Malton, North Yorkshire, is a step ahead of moves by the Government.

Mr Clarkson realised there was potential to capitalise on a directive due to come in in the next two years by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs, and widen a two-metre strip which should be dedicated to wildlife to some nine metres, to build the one and a half mile cross-country course.

Now, after months of building 40 jumps, the course is set to have its first events.

Mr Clarkson has used local timber, old telegraph poles, and logs to create the substantial jumps, as well as building pit-style jumps and water obstacles.

The two courses he has created surround the perimeter of barley and sugar-beet crops, and run alongside woodland.