A MILLIONAIRE farmer is planning to launch an amazing new attraction in a tiny Dorset village.

Landowner Paul Swaffield is building a five acre maze, created from maize crops, as part of a proposed 10 acre complex on his farm in Rodden, between Chickerell and Portesham.

Mr Swaffield, who part-owns famed racehorse Flaked Oats, is hoping to get the green light from West Dorset planners to pursue his dream.

He said the large maze, due to open on July 13, would be part of a 'family-friendly' attraction containing smaller mazes, straw bale mountains, cart rides, farm animals and picnic and barbecue facilities.

Mr Swaffield, 47, and wife Louise, 38, who moved into the farm in 1998, got the idea after visiting a maze in Cornwall last year.

"We were instantly hooked and decided there and then to try and do one here. We needed something to supplement our income because of the foot and mouth effects and we thought this would be the best way to do it," he said.

He added that he has received positive feedback to the plan and felt the attraction would offer people something different to other attractions in the area.

"Our hope is that families will come along during the summer and spend a day enjoying the countryside and letting off steam. The things we are planning are made from natural resources and would be recycled when we close in September," he said.

They say the maze would grow to six or seven feet high and the couple are confident their creation would prove a big hit, although they have not set a visitor number target.

Mrs Swaffield said they would take on a small number of staff to help run the site and their children Sarah, 14, and James, 10, would also be lending a hand.

They are working with renowned maze designer Adrian Fisher, who has created more than 200 mazes in 20 countries.

Preparation for the crop started last autumn and the couple say the pattern would be changed every year to keep the attraction fresh.

"We will be encouraging people to bring their picnic facilities because we want to make the farm a place to come for a day out and, at the same time, show them the work that is done on farms," added Mrs Swaffield.