THE march of pylons across the heart of North Yorkshire is taking another major step forward - with the power lines being strung up.

Experts have begun the long process of pulling through and connecting up the cables, one section at a time.

But it will be late next year before the entire Lackenby to Shipton line is in place and the power starts to surge through the controversial line.

Contractors for the National Grid are working on the first section, connecting eight pylons along a 2km stretch of the route at Tholthorpe, near Easingwold.

The work is expected to continue for a fortnight - although yesterday it was delayed when heavy fog reduced visibility to 30 yards.

Helicopters have been used to string lightweight ropes over the arms of the pylons along the route. Winch cables attached to the ropes will be hauled into position using pulling blocks.

Power lines attached to the winch cables will then in turn be pulled along the route of the pylons, and a total of 12 power lines will be installed, along with an earthing cable.

The first of the huge pylons was erected in December last year and about 70 per cent of those planned have now been erected.

However, a long campaign of opposition by local landowners and environmentalists - which sparked two major public inquiries in the 1990s - shows little sign of abating.

One landowner in particular, Rosalind Craven, of Home Farm, near Huby, is still standing out against the construction of three pylons on her land.

Next month, the High Court is due to hear an application by National Grid for an injunction against Mrs Craven, forcing her to allow contractors on to her land.

It has now emerged that the widow has made a cross-application - a type of counter claim - against National Grid.

She has applied for a court order striking out National Grid's application, claiming that the company's case discloses no reasonable grounds for bringing the claim and that the case is "an abuse of the court's process or is otherwise likely to obstruct the just disposal of the proceedings".