CALLS are being made to save one of the most familiar features of North Yorkshire landscapes - stone-built barns.

A recent survey by the North York Moors National Park shows that thousands are still in poor shape.

Of 6,000 barns still standing, nearly two-thirds are in need of repair or renovation, despite a ten-year improvement programme.

Now the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) in Yorkshire is calling for urgent action to help save the barns, which are seen as being part of the county's distinct heritage.

"Unfortunately, most barns are isolated and not at the roadside, thus limiting their potential," said CLA regional director Dorothy Fairburn.

"Adequate grants must be made available to encourage landowners and farmers to maintain one of the key ingredients, in a landscape on which the area's tourism industry depends.

"The buildings are unsuitable for today's machinery and animal welfare requirements, and so are not in use and become neglected."

Following the foot and mouth crisis, local authorities are being encouraged to grant planning permission for barn conversions to help farmers affected by the outbreak.

However, planning policies are still strict in relation to development in highly-valued conservation areas such as the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.

Updated: 12:16 Monday, December 30, 2002