A GROUP dedicated to preserving rural skills is expanding to help people secure jobs in the countryside.

The recently-formed Burnhope Association for Rural Crafts (Barc) is looking for people from across Derwentside to join workshops in country crafts such as hedge laying, farm machinery maintenance and willow craft.

It follows a successful pilot course in dry stone walling run by the group, based in Burnhope, near Stanley. The course saw members repair a dry stone wall on land belonging to best-selling Horrible Histories author, Terry Deary.

Harry Barron, chairman of the group, said: "It's time Burnhope was put on the map.

"The village is one of the most deprived in the area, but we always seem to be at the bottom of the list when it comes to any help from the powers that be.

"We at Barc want to take the initiative and help our local community get trained and employed in skills that they can be proud of."

The group will use the village community centre for theory lessons, with practical work done out in fields belonging to a farmer and land owned by Mr Deary.

"Terry Deary is behind us all the way, which is a big boost," said Mr Barron.

"Courses like this fill two needs. They help tidy up the village and could also provide employment for people.

"There is demand for farm machinery repair men and dry stone wallers, so there is an opportunity here for people with initiative to learn a trade that could see them set up their own business."

The scheme is being backed by Consett charity Community Enterprise Direct, and the Rural Development Corporation, in nearby Lanchester.

Vic Warrington of Community Enterprise Direct, said: "Harry has had this project in mind for a number of years and it is our job at Community Enterprise Direct to help groups such as Barc to realise their dreams and aspirations in any way we can."

Houghall Community College in east Durham will provide tutors for all the courses.

For details on the scheme, call Mr Warrington on (01207) 500053 or Mr Barron on (01207) 521813.