NEARLY 200 people packed into a Guisborough school this week in a massive show of support for a farmer threatened by development.

A new weapon has been unveiled in the battle to save Home Farm from a bid to develop houses at the site. The Home Farm action group is aiming to restore ancient machinery as a visitor attraction.

People at a public meeting on Tuesday were told restoring two water turbines could be a way of protecting Home Farm.

Group chairman Mr John Wright said funding of up to £500,000 could be needed to turn the scheme into reality.

But he said: "The developer would be fighting on two fronts."

The meeting was called to update campaigners on the controversial planning row.

Home Farm owner Southlands Management is appealing against the North York Moors national park's decision to refuse development at the site. A public inquiry will now decide the outcome.

Southlands wants to demolish agricultural buildings and put up two new livestock buildings and one general purpose one. It is this plan which is subject to appeal.

But the firm also wants to convert grade II listed buildings for residential use, a plan also rejected by the park after a public outcry.

Home Farm is occupied by farmer Mr Leslie Wilkinson and family. The family has worked there since the 20s.

At Tuesday's meeting, Mr Wright said Southlands wanted the farmer to use the new buildings to store equipment, but would not agree to fitting them out. Such work could cost the Wilkinsons up to £100,000.

Action group secretary Mr Clive Wilson said the historic equipment was vital to the campaign. Dating from 1880, the items include two water turbines, a sawmill, hoist and milling machine.

Beamish museum had said the turbines were rare and would back efforts to get the buildings conserved.

Forest Enterprise had also agreed to clean out Blue Lake, which supplies water to Home Farm, so the equipment could be activated.

Mr Wright said walks to the restored site could be organised from the nearby Pinchinthorpe visitor centre.

"It would be fabulous for children," he said.

It was agreed to set up a steering group to co-ordinate the volunteers and materials which would needed. The meeting also decided to choose about six speakers to put the campaign's case at the public inquiry. A start was also made on fundraising with a collection which brought in more than £500.

Members of the Wilkinson family helped to organise the meeting at Highcliffe school.

Their daughter, Mrs Grace Sturman, said her parents - Leslie and Joan - were both aged 70 but still worked seven days a week.

"They love it," she said. "It is their life."

Mr Wilkinson said: "The support of all these people is brilliant. But the problem seems to be neverending and is very unsettling. We just want to be left alone to get on with our lives.