Plans by TV presenter Kate Humble to turn a council-owned farm into a 'rural skills' centre will be discussed by cabinet tomorrow (Thursday 28th July).

The Spring Watch presenter and her husband Ludo Graham want to turn the 118-acre Meend Farm, near Penallt, into a high-profile centre offering courses in sustainable farming skills, rural crafts and wildlife conservation.

Under proposals recommended for approval by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) officers, the authority would retain a 30 per cent interest in the holding as an investment.

Ms Humble and Mr Graham, a BAFTA-winning TV producer, have lived in Monmouthshire for the past four years.

Ms Humble said: "In coming years there is going to be increasing demand on our farmers and our land to provide food.

"Monmouthshire's backbone is farming and it is justifiably famous as a place where good food is produced.

"We want to create a business which allows people from all over the country to learn about how good food is produced, and how to do it themselves".

for full story, see this week's Monmouthshire Beacon