A North-East farmer is hoping his attempts to protect rare wildlife could become a template for others. Catherine Jewitt reports.

HIGH on a North-East hillside, a farmer is helping to protect rare and endangered species of British wildlife.

From the roadside, the 30- acre smallholding in upper Weardale, County Durham, looks no different from any other farm in the dale.

But Frank Beddard's High Greenfield Farm, near Cowshill, is completely devoted to the promotion and conservation of flora and fauna, which are increasingly under pressure.

Because of its rich tapestry of land, which includes ten acres of meadow, 16 acres of pasture and about four acres of woodland planted mostly by Mr Beddard, it is able to support a diverse mixture of wildlife.

The combination of acidic earth found 1,700ft above sea level and limestone bands make an ideal habitat for rare plants, such as grasses, heather, rushes, herbs, lady's mantle, mountain pansy and rare orchids.

These in turn offer a haven to a number of bird species that are declining elsewhere around the country.

The hay meadows provide food for black grouse and a breeding ground for yellow wagtail. Mr Beddard's rushy pastures and pond also offer nesting and feeding sites for birds such as curlew, goldcrest, dippers and redshank.

Mr Beddard said: "It is important to me to protect what wildlife we have.

"There is too much destruction of land which destroys the habitat of many creatures.

" I feel what is on my land is valuable and needs to be protected.

"I believe in what I do and I've been given Government grants to manage the site sympathetically, which shows the experts believe in it too."

Along with the living treasures on Mr Beddard's land, there is also a quarry through which a fossil band runs and relics from the dale's lead mining heritage.

Mr Beddard said: "The fossils show that parts of the farm have been under water many years ago, so it is monitored by satellite to ensure it is not disturbed.

"And there are 17th Century lime kilns, being restored, which are important to remember the area's heritage."

High Greenfield not only attracts wildlife but also foreign students who use the farm as a base for their studies - most recently young people from Holland, Finland and Ireland have visited.

One scheme that sends students from across Europe to Cowshill is Cumbrian-based Clark Mactavish and Grampus Heritage and Training, which teaches people to work in forestry, land-use, environmental management, heritage and culture.

The students are able to get hands-on experience of working in the countryside and putting the theory behind conservation projects into practice.

Fiona Scown, whose parents farm at nearby Ireshopeburn, works voluntarily for Mr Beddard and hopes to study under the scheme.

The 20-year-old said she appreciated the importance of the work Mr Beddard was doing and wanted to get more involved herself.

"I would like to back up my practical experience with more knowledge so I can travel and spread this conservation work."