A £300,000 project to improve the quality of hill sheep is about to be launched.

Leaflets explaining the scheme and calling for 120 volunteer producers to take part will shortly arrive at eligible farms.

Dr Jenny Anderson, MLC sheep scientist, explained that the funding had been secured to develop the new breed improvement and marketing strategy for hill breeds.

The chief aim is to improve the financial viability of producers by increasing the number of lambs meeting the quality requirements of the market.

The same programme has worked well in Scotland and Wales where more than 300 producers have taken part for five years. One Scottish study involving Suffolk sheep has shown an extra benefit of £2 per commercial lamb by using high index rams.

Dr Anderson said the overall benefit from sheep breed improvement to date was put at £4.7m a year.

The two-year Northern uplands sheep strategy is a partnership between the Northern Uplands Moorland Regeneration Project, MLC and North of England Mule Association, with Signet as sub-contractors.

The Swaledale breed is expected to benefit the most, with those flocks taking part being involved in detailed recording of either part or all of the flock, including weighing and ultrasound scanning sheep.

The membership fee for the first year is £125.