NEW research has revealed that East Lancashire's rural economy is benefiting from the high number of farms that have diversified into tourism.

The North West Farm Tourism Initiative (NWFTI) has coined the term "Tractourism" to describe farms that have shifted the emphasis of their agricultural businesses.

A survey by the NWFTI shows that nearly a third of Lancashire farms are now involved in tourism, with 18 per cent operating active businesses and 11 per cent planning to do so.

Tractourism takes many forms within Lancashire, the most popular being accommodation on either a self catering (30 per cent) or bed and breakfast basis (21 per cent). Food and drink is an area a further 21 per cent of Lancashire farms concentrate on, with caravan sites, on farm activities and farm shops also being important.

The potential growth in farm tourism is good news for the North West economy, with an estimated 7,557 jobs are directly dependent on farm tourism, with a further 21,717 jobs both directly and indirectly reliant on it. In Lancashire, 1,685 jobs are directly related to farm tourism.

The Ribble Valley is one area benefiting from converted farms and the role they play as a base for people to explore the valley.

One farm that has pursued a diversification route since the late 1960s is Clough Bottom farm at Bashall Eaves, near Clitheroe. With three holiday cottages and educational facilities covering farming and cooking, the site has been a base for Focus Training that has specialised in corporate training and team building for over 30 years.

Jane Backhouse, who runs the farm with husband Harry, said: "The farm allows people who stay here to go walking or mountain biking and it ultimately adds to the whole feel of the Ribble Valley.

"We still have a central core of farming and the organic ethos, in the form of organically raised beef cattle, is important for us but people also come here with an educational view. We probably wouldn't have been here without the diversification. Doing what we have done has meant we can enhance the place and convert buildings that were becoming run down. It's all a knock on effect and the things all fit in with the ideal of the farm."

Rebecca Kay, tourism officer for Ribble Valley Council, said: "More and more farms in the area are converting and diversifiying.

"There are quite a few farm shops but I think it's important that farms do these things and encourage tourism in the valley and give them an option in terms of their business."