VISITORS are taking the taste of the dales home with them, thanks to an enterprising group of farmers.

And soon their boxes of Swaledale lamb could be winging their way all over the country, thanks to the internet.

For the four farming neighbours are so fired with the success of their first 12 months in direct selling that they plan to expand.

It was local tea shop owner Mr Derek Bowen who led to the creation of the joint venture.

"We were all in the pub one night talking about the poor sheep prices when Derek said we should try selling our own lamb," said Mr Malcolm Campbell.

"We decided to get together to discuss it and came up with the name Natural Dales Lamb."

The farmers - Mr Campbell, Mr Michael Foster, Mr James Hall and Mr Bill Cowperthwaite - live within three miles of each other at Arncliffe, near Kettlewell.

Between them they have a pool of 4,000 lambs which are raised on the herb-rich pastures high above the village which lies three miles from Kilnsey Crag.

In the first 12 months they have sold a couple of hundred lambs direct to the public.

"We thought we would just see how it went," said Mr Campbell, who has lived at Castle Farm in the centre of the village for 50 years.

They did not embark on a big advertising campaign, preferring instead to rely on word of mouth and a good reputation.

"We do get a lot of visitors here and a lot have taken a half lamb box home with them," said Mr Campbell.

"We have been very pleased with the number that have come back again, often buying two or three half boxes for neighbours and friends. One returned and bought seven boxes."

Other customers enjoy the ride out and pick up a box on their way home.

"People do say they like the taste of the Swaledale lamb, especially when it is a bit more mature," said Mr Campbell.

"I suppose they do not see it often because such a lot go for export."

Although the business concentrates on supplying Swaledale lamb, other breeds such as Suffolk and Texel can be supplied if requested.

They are sold in pre-packed half lamb boxes which sell for £25-£30, broadly speaking £1.50 a lb.

"We present good quality lamb at a sensible price," said Mr Campbell. "We select only the finest quality lambs to sell direct."

And by cutting out the middle men and associated costs, they manage to make a healthy profit.

The farmers take it in turn to supply the lambs but if one runs out the others step in. They have had no difficulty in providing an all year round supply.

They also take it in turns to take the lambs to the abattoir. "It means we only have one trip a month instead of several so it saves on transport costs," said Mr Campbell, "We operate a simple system but it works."

Recently Mr Campbell's son-in-law, Steven Hodgson, came to work on the farm.

He previously worked for a wholesale butcher and a cutting room and cold store is currently being fitted out at Castle Farm with a view to Mr Hodgson doing all the cutting.

Natural Dales Lamb aims to be on the internet later this year, which in turn will lead to the introduction of a postal delivery service for customers.

"It will involve some costs but it is inevitable," said Mr Campbell, "If we can sell 500-600 lambs a year this way then it will be fine."

If lamb sales continue to increase, they are likely to also offer their own beef.

Farmers are increasingly being encouraged to get together in groups to sell their produce.

Natural Dales Lamb is proof that it can work but Mr Campbell advised against rushing in to direct selling. "Don't jump in with both feet, put one toe in to test the water and if it is okay then go for it," he said.

"Don't put a lot of money in until you have seen how it goes."

Anyone interested in contacting Natural Dales Lamb can do so on 01756 770 269