A NEW farmers’ network is attracting widespread interest.

The Yorkshire Dales Farmers Network was launched at Hawes mart last month and has already attracted interest from 300 people.

The farmer-based company aims to support farmers who want to collaborate to save costs, cope with legislation and paperwork, and access public funding.

It is sister company to the Cumbria Farmer Network, which has 600 members, and both are now part of the Farmer Network umbrella organisation.

Chris Clark, a steering committee member of YDFN, told the Yorkshire FWAG Forum at Bolton Abbey Village Hall that they had received funding from the Yorkshire Dales Leader programme and Yorkshire Dales Sustainable Development Fund to get started.

The leader programme area extends to Darlington and just north of Skipton and the Ribble Valley.

Mr Clark said the umbrella company aims to have 1,000 members and the plans might include establishing networks for the North York Moors and Lancashire.

The Farmers Network is based in Penrith.

The YDFN is currently recruiting paid coordinators who will receive training and who will organising meetings and events.