MANY people dream of building their own home, seeing the project through from foundations to house-warming party! But finding a suitable plot of land can often be a problem. Plots with fine rural views are difficult to find and getting planning permission is often difficult, if not impossible.

THERE was some instant soulsearching when sustainable technologies expert Dr David Clubb landed a job in the North-East. One of the priorities of the new director of Northumberland company Northwoods was to join a band where he could play his sax.

By JENNIFER BRADBURY A WILY old bird who still enjoys the odd amorous adventure has rewritten the record books. During the summer experts on a Forestry Commission-backed owl project were astonished to find a 20-year-old tawny with two chicks in Kielder Forest.

WILDLIFE enthusiast Malte Iden has found his dream job - studying animals and birds in a vast Northumberland woodland. The Forestry Commission has appointed Malte, 34, as the new recreation ranger for the 155,000-acre Kielder Water and Forest Park.

A VITAL lifeline is being thrown to woodland creatures in the region threatened with extinction. Some butterflies and moths are in severe decline, but the Forestry Commission is taking action to improve their plight.