FARMERS in Wensleydale are getting to grips with computer technology, thanks to a local auction mart.

Hawes Auction Mart has opened a computer suite where farmers can go for taster sessions to familiarise themselves with things like the internet and e-mails or sign up for training courses.

The mart has become an accredited centre for the Government's Learn Direct scheme and all its trainers are Lantra registered.

Maurice Hall, general manager at the mart, said the training facilities had generated a lot of interest from farmers and other local people.

He said: "We held an open day on February 6 and 54 people expressed an interest in the Learn Direct scheme.

"So far, two groups of 12 have completed an introduction to computing course and another group is booked up for April."

Local farmers were particularly interested in agricultural software, he added. A one-day VAT course had proved popular and eight more people were booked in for an IACS taster course.

Mr Hall said: "All the ones who came said they realised they had to use computers and they could not put it off any longer.

"There is a lot of nervousness among those that are completely new to it, but there is a cosy atmosphere in the suite and I think that helps.

"There must be a tremendous lot of farmers up here who have not made contact yet. My message to them is: there's nothing to fear and we will help them through it."

Tom Tennant, 47, a sheep and beef farmer from Worton, near Askrigg, is a newcomer to computers who has completed the introduction course at the mart.

He said: "It's something we have to do, because it's going to come soon where we are dealing with Defra by computer instead of by letter.

"I found the beginner's course very helpful and I've signed up for some one-to-one training."

For those who prefer training in the home or office, Target Training, of Rylstone, near Skipton, has been appointed by Defra to run its vocational training scheme.

Defra is paying 75pc of the training costs, with farmers paying £63.28 plus VAT for five two-hour training sessions.

Hawes Mart also offers an agency service for farmers who want the benefits of being computerised but do not want to do it for themselves.

The suite's six computers were supplied by the Rural Technology Partnership, based in Darlington.

The company was formed last year to provide cut-price computers and training packages for farms and other rural businesses. It set up a pilot scheme in North Yorkshire at the beginning of the year.

Peter Johnson, who owns the Partnership, said the pilot had been a great success and more than 140 computers had been installed in the region so far.

All the computers now go out with Lines Mitchell's LeMentry software pre-installed. The software, which is specifically for livestock farmers who need to keep accurate records of births, deaths and movements of stock, can be activated for less than £200.

Mr Johnson said: "What is so special about the software is it keeps the farmer on the right side of the law with Defra and ensures they get the correct payments from Defra in the shortest possible time."

He added: "The farmer does not have to sit and type in all his records on to the computer himself. Manual records that have been sent to Workington can be accessed by Lines Mitchell, using the farmer's CPH number and password, and can then be dropped straight into his computer software electronically within 15 minutes."

For more information, contact the Rural Technology Partnership on 0845 1300466, Hawes Auction Mart on 01969 667207 or Target Training on 01756 730001