A PROJECT is being launched this week to gauge the potential of using fleece from the sheep that graze the hills of Dartmoor.

The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project is looking at ways of using fleece to make more than just rugs and carpets and has experimented with creating a Dartmoor tweed which has been made into waistcoats and jackets, knitting yarns, a twine, weaving yarns, blankets and throws.

Dartmoor Hill Farm Project officer Sandra Dodd said the event at the Duchy Arts Centre at Princetown from September 8-10 would be offering an insight into getting more value from sheep like the Scotch black-faced breeds and other breeds that graze on the moor.

'We are asking people who make a livelihood from their sheep to come along and see what can be done,' she said.

'At the moment all the wool goes to the Wool Board at Liskeard or South Molton.

'We would like to see if there is any interest in producing items from the fleece locally.

'The comments we have got back from the people who have been working with the fleece have been very positive and the finished articles are a lot better than we thought they might be.

'I really think there is a value to it.

'So much work has gone into this event, to produce a material and wool that is useable from fleece which was thought was only fit for carpets but we need to see if there is a demand for it.

'The animals that produce this fleece are partly responsible for the environment, landscape and biodiversity of Dartmoor that we all enjoy.'

Chairman of the British Wool Board Malcolm Corbett will be speaking at the launch and also tonight (Thursday) at the Two Bridges Hotel at 7.30pm where farmers and wool producers are invited to learn the future of the wool board and the role farmers play.

On display at the launch will be felt and twine and some of the finished products. For more details contact the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project on 01822 890913.