A SCHEME encouraging farmers to embrace traditional methods of agriculture celebrated its tenth birthday yesterday.

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme, subsidised by the Europen Union, pays farmers to follow established farming methods with the aim of enhancing the landscape, encouraging wildlife and protecting historical features.

Paul Vickers, 28, and his father, Renney, 59, have seen a big difference on their 300-acre Newton Grange Farm, in Sadberge, near Darlington.

Paul, an arable farmer, said: "We have been members of the scheme for four years. The main difference in farming has seen us re-fencing old hedge lines, replanting hedges and trees.

"We have noticed a big difference in the number of wild birds which have come back. We have seen more pigeons and pheasants."

Since it started in 1991, the scheme has attracted 12,500 agreement holders with 940 in the North East.

In the next six years, Defra will make a further £500m available for the scheme.

Defra minister Elliot Morley said: "Over the past ten years we've not only seen tangible benefits to the countryside, we also have the knowledge we are helping our wildlife and our environmental heritage."