Apprentice-style challenge for nation''s young farmers.

YOUNG Farmers' Clubs across the UK are being urged to sign up for an Apprentice-style challenge to develop their entrepreneurial skills and raise money for charity.

The National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC) has put together the Rural Apprentice Challenge to bring in cash for healthcare charity Sue Ryder Care.From an initial investment of pounds 50, the initiative is aiming to raise more than pounds 50,000. It follow a pilot project run by eight clubs in Yorkshire last year, which generated more than pounds 5,000.

Andrew Wood, a fundraiser at the charity and a former county chairman of the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers' Club, helped to organise the challenge.

He said: "The young farmers in Yorkshire came up with some great ideas. The Aire Valley Young Farmers' Club bought a calf and reared it themselves at Keelham Hall Farm, in between Queensbury and Denholme, near Keighley.

"The calf became really famous in the local area because it was featured in the local newspapers and people who visited the farm got to know it. Because it was such an iconic calf, when the young farmers took it to auction it was sold for well over the odds."

He said the scheme aimed to develop business skills among entrants, who will face a grilling in front of a panel of judges.

The challenge starts next month and runs until October next year. County-level winners will go on to area finals then a national final.

More information on entering is available from www.nfyfc.org.uk.