A MAGAZINE article read in a doctors waiting room set Nigel Goodwill's pulse racing.

As a result, the man who had spent 20 years developing office blocks and commercial premises on Tyneside, built a new life in .... lavender.

Now his Yorkshire Lavender at Terrington, near Hovingham, boasts all 70 varieties of the plant and attracts visitors from all over the UK and abroad.

On one recent day the visitor book was signed by callers from British Columbia, Malaysia, Belgium and Budapest.

The farm is also a favourite for groups and parties who Mr Goodwill gives talks to on the many and varied uses of lavender.

Lavender plants and a wide range of other herbs are sold from the farm which has just introduced a range of conserves - fragrant jams, jellies and mustards containing home-grown lavender.

They are sold alongside other lavender products including essential oils, roll-on sticks, sacks and sachets of dried flowers.

Mr Goodwill has also received planning permission for a visitor centre and shop which will be completed for next year.

He bought the 70-acre farm in November 1994 with a view to growing garlic.

"But I was fascinated by the article on lavender and decided to grow it instead," he said.

Sadly Mr Goodwill's wife died eight years ago and he has developed the business while bringing up his children, Samuel 13, and Emma Jane, 11.

"We have a pretend board," said Mr Goodwill, "Emma Jane is the chairman, Sam is the managing director and I'm the chief worrier!"

The children are enthusiastic helpers around the farm and feature on the promotional material.

Lavender is very hardy and will grow in most soil and climatic conditions.

However the Terrington site is particularly apt, standing on a south-facing slope on the edge of the Howardian Hills area of outstanding natural beauty, overlooking the Vale of York.

The plant has been grown for thousands of years with a lavender perfume jar discovered in Tutankhamun's tomb. The Romans also used it widely.

Elizabeth I commanded that the royal table should never be without conserve of lavender and Queen Victoria greatly valued it as a conserve and a perfume.

It has always been used for medicinal purposes and the interest in natural remedies has seen its popularity revived.

Essential oil of lavender is used in aromotherapy for its soothing effects; a couple of drops on a pillow helps sleep and a few drops rubbed into the temples can help relieve migraine and headaches.

"A bunch or two of lavender in the kitchen will keep flies away," said Mr Goodwill, "We also sell roll-on sticks which some equestrian people buy and rub above the horses eyes to keep the flies away.

"It can also be useful in cat and dog baskets and it will keep greenfly away when it is planted next to roses."

It has always been widely used as a flavouring and condiment with food.

Now Mr Goodwill, with help from his children, has produced a range of conserves containing lavender. They include apricot; gooseberry; raspberry and redcurrant; exotic pineapple; blueberry; apple; strawberry; lemon and lime; as well as lavender jelly and thick cut orange marmalade.

They are produced to his own recipes by a small family firm in York and are sold on the farm and in delicatessens in York, Pocklington, Malton and Knaresborough.

"I would like to get them sold in delicatessens in the Northallerton, Thirsk, Richmond and Darlington areas as well," said Mr Goodwill, who has also started a mail order service.

The builders are due to start work on the new visitor centre and shop in October.

Mr Goodwill will give talks to groups in the centre and plans to have a video running for other visitors.

Admission to the farm is free. It is open daily between 10 and 4.30 until October 1. Any groups interested in calling or delicatessens interested in selling the conserves and mustard can contact Yorkshire Lavender on 01653 648008. It can also be found at www.lavender world.com