A FARMER’S daughter has decided to travel right round England’s biggest county in a little open-topped tractor dating from 1968.

Helen Benson, who is the Yorkshire co-ordinator for the charity Farming Community Network (FCN), is aiming to complete her 400-mile trek in nine days.

Her route, right round the perimeter of Yorkshire, will take in everything from Pennine peaks to coastal plains.

Along the way, she hopes to be joined by others in the farming community - partly to keep her company and partly to raise money for FCN - a charity that offers essential support to farmers and their families in times of difficulty.

Helen’s inspiration is her father, William Sykes, who originally bought the DB 880 tractor.

As she sets off from Elslack tomorrow (Thursday), she will be waved off by Peter White, the man who sold him the tractor all those years ago.

“This will be a huge achievement for me,” she said, “As we have had to renovate the old tractor that, to be honest, had fallen on hard times after a lifetime on our farm. With help from James of Ewden Valley Tractors, it’s now in pristine condition and ready to take its place at the head of what I hope will be a good turnout of tractors as we meander round our winding route.

“I hope to take a few stops along the way to learn a bit more about our wonderful county. I can’t wait to get going.”

Each day the tractor run will start at 10am and Helen is inviting anyone interested to join her. A full itinerary is available on her Facebook page, which can be found by searching Helen Benson’s Great Yorkshire Tractor Run.

A £10 donation to FCN will be requested for every tractor joining. The whole event will reach its climax at Tractor Fest at Newby Hall, Ripon on June 8.

Helen is also appealing for sponsorship via her Just Giving page: Helen’s Tractor Run Across Yorkshire. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Helen through Facebook.