A farmer's wife has launched a diversification project you really have to take your hat off to.

Sarah Stockdale, of Nanelands Farm, Hebden, near Skipton, has opened a shop and showroom at her home to sell and hire hats.

And the official opening ceremony was performed by members of Rylstone and District Women's Institute who bared all for a fundraising Millennium calendar. In one shot, they appear virtually naked - bar an array of fetching hats.

Sarah has joined a growing co-operative of ten farmers' wives who together have formed Get Ahead, which spans an area from Scotland to Leicestershire.

"My involvement began when I was looking for a hat for a wedding I was going to. I went along to York where another farmer's wife, Beryl Otley, had set up the business many years ago.

"I thought it was something I could do as a form of farm diversification as farming is struggling at the moment," Sarah said.

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