SCHEMES worth £545,000 have been carried out to boost the economy and environment of the picturesque Howardian Hills.

The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has seen a catalogue of work carried out in the past year, said project officer Paul Jackson.

The work has included enhancing the local landscape, the historic environment, biodiversity, recreation and access, said Mr Jackson in his annual report. Overhead electricity wires have been put underground at Nunnington, 200 metres of hedgerow gaps planted and nearly 300 trees planted in fields and hedgerows.

Exmoor ponies have been brought in to carry out conservation grazing at seven nature conservation areas and extensive clearance of hemlock and Himalayan balsam carried out.

In addition, conservation work has been done in churchyards and habitat management on 33 specially-designated roadside verges.

A conservation management plan for the park and garden at Gilling Castle has been produced, a long stretch of historic wall at the park restored and the City of Troy turf maze improved. Major restoration work has been done at a lime kiln in Gilling, added Mr Jackson.

In a bid to attract more tourists to the AONB and help local businesses, leaflets have been produced featuring walks in the area, and the Kirkham Priory car park has been upgraded and a condition survey of public rights way has been started.

Schools and rural communities have been involved in many schemes, said Mr Jackson, with youngsters taking part in junior ranger club sessions. An orchard development and community apple processing plant has been developed at Husthwaite and allotments created in Slingsby. An outdoor classroom has been set up at the Castle Howard Arboretum and the work of the AONB team, based at Wath Court, near Hovingham, has received national recognition on television.

The AONB is supported by Natural England, the Government’s conservation agency, North Yorkshire County Council, Ryedale and Hambleton district councils, the EU, English Heritage and donations.

The area covers 79 square miles, stretching from the outskirts of Malton in the east to Husthwaite in the west and north to south from the edge of Helmsley to Howsham.

Some 9,300 people live in the area which includes such villages as Hovingham, Sproxton, Ampleforth, Welburn, Bulmer, Brandsby, and Stonegrave.