FARMERS are failing to get the help they need as they try to survive financially by diversifying into other businesses, an association has said.

The North-East has seen a surge in farmers turning their backs on traditional farming methods following a series of financial blows in recent years, including BSE and foot-and-mouth disease.

While many have been successful in branching out into areas such as bed and breakfasts and selling bottled water, others struggle with red tape and in some cases failing to get projects off the ground.

According to the Country Landowners' Association (CLA), which has thousands of members across the region, one regular complaint is that farmers are thwarted by planning regulations when they attempt to diversify.

The CLA's regional director, Dorothy Fairburn, said: "The difficulty with farm diversification is that a completely different set of rules apply to the agricultural ones with which farmers are familiar.

"They need to do their homework properly and get help wherever it is available."

Brian Hodgson, whose family have been dairy farmers for four generations, opened fishing lakes when milk production became less profitable.

His business, Aldin Grange Lakes, in Bearpark, near Durham, is in its second year and is now returning a small profit.

He said: "Although we are now up-and-running, there were problems, and farmers do need more help.

"It cost £1,000 to apply for planning permission and we had to consult with everybody from the parish council to the Otter Trust.

"When we applied for a rural development grant from Defra, it took them eight months to say no as well, which meant we had to scale down our plans."

James Ede, senior food and farming advisor with the National Farmers' Union in the North-East, said: "Diversification is not an easy and cast-iron solution to the problems that farmers face.

"As a result, they need as much support as possible from planning and other agencies to ensure their diversification projects have a good chance of success."

James Hodgson, a project officer for the Rural Development Service for Yorkshire, said schemes were in place under the England Rural Development Programme to help farmers adapt to changing markets.

He said that diversification brings benefits, including additional jobs.

* The CLA is planning a half-day seminar and workshop for farmers in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on how the planning system works and how to get advice. To book a place, call (01347) 823803.