A YOUNG farmer is to present a new show about farming on BBC Radio York.

Yorkshire Farming, a one-hour show which will be launched at 6am on Sunday, will be fronted by Gareth Barlow, who had no family connection to farming but bought six rare breed Hebridean sheep at 17 after selling his Xbox.

"Fascinated by farming and owning livestock, he worked as a butcher for three years, then ran a flock of 500 sheep and supplied around thirty restaurant customers including Andrew Pern in Yorkshire and Marcus Wareing in Knightsbridge," said a Radio York spokesman.

"Gareth and the Yorkshire Farming team will be heading out and about as they meet members of Yorkshire's farming community, exploring the region to look at the challenges, debate the issues and celebrate the successes which North Yorkshire's farmers and rural businesses currently face. "

Gareth said: "It's a huge privilege to have the opportunity to talk about farming and food each weekend on BBC Radio York."

The station's managing editor Sanjiv Buttoo said he had noted a growing appetite amongst the audience for agricultural content.