A DERELICT old piggery has been turned into one of the most fragrant places in Yorkshire.

Eighteen months ago the 12-acre site was knee-deep in muck and rubbish - a true blot on the local landscape.

On Sunday it opened to the public as Wolds Way Lavender, and as what is expected to be the largest lavender and herb farm in Yorkshire.

It lies just off the A64 York to Scarborough road, at Deerpark Farm at Wintringham, near Malton , and is owned by husband and wife team, Steve and Anne Jaques.

Mr Jaques is museum director at nearby Eden Camp and chairman of the Ryedale Tourism Association.

He spotted the old piggery up for auction when his wife was six months into a two-year HNC horticulture course at Bishop Burton College.

"I was wondering what I could do and Steve had the vision of creating the lavender farm," said Mrs Jaques.

Lavender is popular both for aromatherapy and its herbal qualities as well as its soothing perfume.

They bought the site and the back-breaking transformation work began. Apart from the muck and rubbish everywhere, the site was infested with rabbits, attracted by the light sandy soil.

Today the old buildings are spotless and attractively fitted out, the entire site is stock and rabbit proofed and much of the the lavender and herbs splendidly displayed in raised sensory beds.

The couple have created a large lavender sundial, planted thousands of trees and wildflowers around the site, and have planned a woodland walk.

So far, more than four acres have been planted but ultimately eight acres will contain more than 120 varieties of lavender and herbs.

The lavender-coloured gift shop and tea rooms already stock essential oils, creams and toiletries but, by 2005, the farm will produce its own.

The couple have received planning permission to build their own distillery and cooling ponds to create the oils used in aromatherapy. Wood burning, it will be fuelled by willow coppice grown on the farm, and will distil oil from special oil plants which produce about 20 litres to the acre.

"There were times when we wondered what we had done but it is getting easier now," said Mrs Jaques, who will complete her two year HNC horticulture course in July.

Visitors can see exactly what she means through a step by step photographic record of the transformation displayed on boards in the shop and tea room.

It is just one example of the care and thought that has gone into the project, another being the specially-made lavender coloured pots the plants are sold in.

The Jaques are grateful for the help they have received from friends and family - daughter Sarah, 13, has helped out and Mr Jaques' mother, Joan, has handstitched the goods on offer.

They had already received several calls from the public in an area from Whitby to Beverley before they had even opened.

Wolds Way Lavender is open 10am-5pm, Sunday to Thursday, until September 30. It can be contacted on 01944 758 641.

FRAGRANT HARVEST: Anne and Steve Jaques, right, with part of their lavender crop, on the site which was derelict only 18 months ago - D&S