A TEESSIDE couple have opted for the good life - at the age of 48.

Mike and Rita Corrigan have always talked about moving to the countryside and making a living from the land.

Now, at a time when many farmers are leaving the industry following the foot-and- mouth outbreak, they have bought a 226-acre farm, 21 sheep and a pot-bellied pig.

The farm is just 800 yards from their old home in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, but the couple, who used to run a soft drinks company in Hartlepool, said their new life is a world apart.

"We sold the company a couple of years ago and we'd always said, ever since we were first married, wouldn't it be nice to do a place up, an old building in the countryside," said Mrs Corrigan.

"We never really had the opportunity and we have three teenage sons who weren't keen to change schools and lose their friends.

"Then East Fields Farm came up and I suppose it was perfect because it was near enough to our old home for the boys, but as soon as you turn off the road and up the main drive you are right into the heart of the countryside."

When the pair moved in, the entire farm had just ten trees. They have now planted 16,000 trees, 20,000 hedging plants and are creating a wetland area in a bid to attract local wildlife.

Nearby farmers have offered a helping hand and the couple hope to make a living from the farm before too long.

"It's a very steep learning curve for us because we have no experience whatsoever," said Mr Corrigan.

"All the farmers are suffering from the way the prices have dropped for things like wheat. But the neighbouring ones have been so helpful.

"People seem amazed that we are coming into farming at a time like this, but I think it's a thing of the heart rather than the head."

The couple have been supported in their venture by the Department for Food, Rural Affairs and Agriculture's Stewardship scheme and the Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant scheme - both of which encourage farmers to improve the natural beauty of their land.