A NEW venture in York is going with the grain of green tradition in Britain.

Allan Roberts, of Millfield Gardens, Nether Poppleton, is The Hedge Man, which is seeking both the New Business Of The Year and Think Green Business Of The Year titles in The Press Business Awards 2007.

You only have to study the English landscape to understand the real need identified by Allan, who specialises in hedge-laying and restoration.

In the Midlands, lowland north and eastern England, much of the hedgerow patterns of today are the outcome of planned "enclosure" and part of the man-made landscape of English agriculture and estate management since the early 18th century.

Allan said: "There is a need for detailed attention to managing and caring for hedges in many sectors.

"These include housing developers and utility companies, landowners such as local authorities, and highways and waterways bodies, as well as charitable organisations such as Millennium green trusts.

"There seems to be little awareness of the need for better management and how this would benefit the landscape, wildlife and the general quality of life for all. I hope to change all that."

Allan, who also makes his services available to householders and property owners, has worked in agriculture and environmental management for the past 30 years.

He has had training in hedge laying and habitat management techniques, including courses at Askham Bryan College.

He has also made good use of free workshops organised by Business Link York and North Yorkshire plus help from York Business Advice Centre Most of his work to date has been with residential clients, but now he is targeting the corporate sector through his website, www.thehedgeman.co.uk