FARMERS and landowners in the River Skerne Catchment Area are invited to a free seminar about the river being included into Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF).

It will be the first CSF in County Durham and means they will be able to compete for a range of capital grants worth up to £10,000. The seminar will explain the details.

Organised by H&H Land and Property it takes place at Sedgefield Racecourse on Thursday (28th), at 6pm.

The speakers will be Susie Hardie, Natural England Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer, on "What Catchment Sensitive Farming means for the Landowner/Farmer"; Graeme Hull, Tees Catchment Coordinator for the Environment Agency, on "The Bright Water River Skerne Project"; and John Pinches, North East regional manager for Barclays Agriculture, on "The State of UK Farming and Current Issues".

Tim Sedgewick, H&H rural surveyor who will chair the meeting, said: "The news that the River Skerne Catchment Area is to be included in CSF will be welcome news to many.

"Previous rounds of CSF in Northumberland and North Yorkshire have grant aided farmers for infrastructure investments such as new buildings or yard concreting. The aim of this is to reduce water diffuse pollution. Assistance to fence watercourses off from livestock has also been provided alongside a plethora of other items.

"It is worth noting that CSF is a competitive grant application process and we hope that this seminar will allow interested individuals to make themselves known to Natural England and the CSF Officers."

The event includes a free pie and pea supper. Those attending should register with Alice Blackett on 0191 370 8530 or alice.blackett@hhland.co.uk.