FARMER Brian Douthwaite has expanded his livery business by adding a menage for local horse owners.

The 40 x 24 metre sand ring is proving popular for riders to practise jumping and recently staged a gymkhana for the 20 owners who stable their horses at Mr Douthwaite's Bar Farm, near Malton.

The equine business started when the farm no longer kept livestock and people started asking if they could put their horses in the paddock.

"We decided to capitalise on what was happening and built stables which horse owners could rent," said Mr Douthwaite.

When he was looking to expand further, he was recommended to seek advice from Business Link York and North Yorkshire and Pat Lane, farm adviser, looked at the farm business, gave advice and helped him apply successfully for a Defra grant.

The Rural Enterprise Scheme grant covered 30pc of the total construction cost of the menage.

"Pat Lane was a great help," said Mr Douthwaite, "He not only looked at the diversification aspect, but also the strength of my existing farm business, which is very important.

"He also had a great knowledge of Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme and how to make a thorough application for it.

"He did a great job."

Business Link York and North Yorkshire can be contacted on 01904 686000.