AN ambitious new project has been launched in the Ribble Valley and Pendle to target the business advice needs and training requirements of farming communities.

Every farm in the Bowland area of the Ribble Valley and other areas of Pendle will be asked to take part in a survey set up by the Lancashire Heritage Trust.

The results will provide valuable information for economic development organisations and those able to advise on sources of capital funding and grant assistance to promote farming enterprise.

The survey will also highlight possible areas of future development.

The Bowland and Pennine training and development project aims to develop a system of co-operative farm enterprises within similar districts, which may also assist tourism promotion and business development opportunities.

Providing access to training is the key element of the project in order for the farming community to diversify or specialise in any area of their business.

Survey forms will be sent out to over 300 farms in the Bowland area alone.

Trevor Rushton, the agricultural consultant for the Lancashire Heritage Trust, said: "We are very excited about this project as the results could supply us with a great deal of information about future needs of the farming community.

"These questionnaires are straightforward and we would ask for everyone's co-operation."

A number of farms will be selected for follow-up personal interviews and the results will be made available by the end of April.

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