ENA Dent, at Craven Garth Farm in Rosedale, is developing a health and beauty treatments business at Craven Garth Farm, in Rosedale.

She's had help from DEFRA's Fast Track Vocational Training Scheme (VTS) and is one of the first people in Yorkshire to benefit from Fast Track VTS funding.

The scheme is helping to finance her City and Guilds course in beauty therapy, which will allow her to offer health and beauty treatments at the farm she runs with her husband. She will use many locally-produced natural ingredients. Treatments will include aromatherapy, facials, manicures and massage.

Mrs Dent and her husband, Trevor, run the family-owned beef and sheep farm, together with Trevor's brother. For the past 14 years, people have been coming to the farm to stay in the seven holiday cottages on offer, and Mrs Dent decided to expand the business into beauty treatments for her guests.

Mrs Dent said: "I was delighted when the funding for my course was approved by DEFRA and I was surprised at how quickly my application was processed. I had always dreamt of branching out into other areas and the VTS scheme allows people like me to take positive action to make that happen.

"The treatments available at the farm offer people more choice. Guests can take in the idyllic surroundings of the countryside, go for long walks along the moor, or simply take time out to pamper themselves.

"I wanted to use natural, locally-made products for my treatments as I feel that there's so much good-quality produce right on our doorstep and, by buying local, I can also help strengthen the rural economy."

The Vocational Training Scheme has been running for three years and provides up to 75pc of the cost towards vocational training for people involved in farming or forestry who want to broaden their skills. The Fast Track element of the scheme has been introduced for people like Mrs Dent who wish to sign up for an individual course, and whose application needs to be processed quickly.

Lee McQue, DEFRA's rural development service advisor for the region, said: "Increasing the skills base of people in agriculture and forestry is seen as a key factor in ensuring greater diversification, competitiveness and strength of the rural economy and in Mrs Dent's case, she is getting the chance to study a subject she clearly enjoys."

Updated: 11:27 Wednesday, January 07, 2004