United Kingdom-Farmers collecting payments.

UNITED KINGDOM-FARMERS PAYMENTS.

The regions farmers have been urged not to miss out on financial payments offered by Entry Level Stewardship (ELS).

In the North-East there are already more than 1,800 ELS agreements, covering more than 360,000 hectares. The scheme - which provides a regular income of up to £30 per hectare per year for five years - aims to conserve wildlife and biodiversity, maintain landscapes, protect historical features and reduce diffuse pollution.

Sue Harrison, farm advice senior project manager for North East England, said: "Natural England is particularly advising anyone who might be holding on for the launch of a new Uplands Entry Level Scheme (UELS) in 2010 not to wait.

"First payments for any UELS will not be made until Dec 2010, so by signing up for ELS now, land managers will receive some 18 months of ELS payments plus the current Hill Farm Allowance payment.