A NORTH Yorkshire moorland farmer and his wife who have been pioneers in wildlife conservation and diversification of their farm, are in line for a major national award.

Mr John Simpson's family have run Keasbeck Hill Farm at Harwood Dale in the North York Moors national park for some four generations, but he recognised the potential dramatic changes in agriculture long before they gathered pace and set about exploring the potential of his 200-acre farm as a haven for wildlife, educational parties, the disabled, and as a tourist centre.

The result is that Mr Simpson and his wife, Lynda, have combined farming, conservation and tourism and have won through to the second round of the 2001 Farmcare Silver Lapwing award, run by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.

They now hope to reach the national shortlist of six in the competition, which seeks to find the farmer, who through skilful management, has done most to improve the wildlife and landscape value on a commercially-run farm.

This year's competition has attracted a record 217 entries nationwide.

The extensive conservation scheme carried out at Keasbeck Hill includes a wetland area with a wealth of orchids, foxgloves, primroses and native trees; the planting of new broadleaved woodland, and the restoration of drystone walls.

Mr Simpson, who also has about 300 sheep and 80 fattening cattle, has built extensive boardwalks through woodland and alongside wildlife conservation areas he has created.

As a result his remote farm, set in spectacular countryside, attracted 22 school parties last year and is becoming increasingly popular with walkers and tourists staying at the farm's Grainary hotel, a 15-bed complex complete with three dining rooms and a lounge, which has been created out of redundant farm buildings.

Another building, used formerly as a cow house, is now a games and educational room for children in school parties and on holiday with their families. Alongside it is a tea shop with home-made food, which augments the farm enterprise.

Wildlife conservation schemes have been introduced on the farm by Mr Simpson, working with a wide range of agencies, including the Countryside Agency, English Nature, FWAG, the forestry authority, the national park authority, and the former Ministry of Agriculture.

"We have created a number of walks taking in the farm's wetland and woodland, as well as routes through the village" said father of four, Mr Simpson.

Bird and animal life, and once-rare wildflowers are thriving, making the farm a welcome place for nature lovers and educational groups.

The farm boasts some 6,000 metres of historic dry stone walls which are gradually being restored and hedgerows, many dating back over two centuries, are being renovated. A pond has been created to take advantage of the wetland and is now stocked with rudd, roach, bream, trout and carp, while another old pond is about to be renovated.

"Farming is going to have to change dramatically if it is to survive," says Mr Simpson, who is anxious to pass on to his children a worthwhile legacy for the future.

One of Keasbeck Hill Farm's fields has the name Cowgate Slack, originating from time when all the valley and dale was rented to the Priory of Bridlington for the price of 50 cows and 20 horses.

In more recent times, says Mr Simpson, his family cut, tied and stacked crops, and took butter, cheese, curd, eggs and corn by pony and trap to Scarborough market.