Sheep going nude to help economy

Fleeces from a Wensleydale flock are now being spun

Grazing sheep used on conservation land are helping boost Bedfordshire's local economy by having their fleeces turned into wool.

Sheep need to be sheared every year, which is a costly process but the fleeces are usually worth pennies.

The Nude Ewe project, supported by Natural England, spins the fleeces into wool and then sells it to the public.

Money made from the project is given back to farmers to spend on maintaining and looking after the flock.

So far the scheme has earned £1,000.

Grazing sheep eat bramble, shrubs and other coarse vegetation what would otherwise take over habitats such as sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).

Fleeces are already being spun from a small flock of Wensleydale sheep which have soft fleeces and produce sought-after wool.

Heather Webb, co-ordinator for the Bedfordshire & Luton Biodiversity Partnership, one of the partners in the project, said: "The fleeces are worth only pennies.

"It also costs money to repair fences, maintain shelters and deliver medical treatment for the flocks.

"We're working to help conservation graziers recover these costs."