Farmers are being invited to help troubled youngsters at a proposed residential care home.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness asked them to set up farming programmes which could prove therapeutic to the kids.

He made the invitation yesterday as he sought to soothe fears over the proposal for Tudor Farm in Southampton.

Mr. Edness firmly denied Government would be interfering with farmland.

And he scotched claims a young offenders home would be a prison posing a security threat to nearby residents.

"It is not something neighbours should be concerned about,'' said Mr. Edness.

He urged farmers -- who have lashed the plan -- to help Government set up programmes to "assist the occupational therapy and counselling'' of youngsters.

These programmes would cover all aspects of farming, he added.

"I firmly believe farming is a very disciplined and healthy activity which would benefit these children.'' But yesterday Shadow Environment Minister the Rev. Trevor Woolridge tore into the Tudor Farm plan.

The Progressive Labour Party had laid down a motion in the House of Assembly urging MPs to reject the proposed site, he said.

And he called on Works Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons to look elsewhere, saying Bermuda needed to preserve its arable land.

"Government ought to be sensitive to those farmers and others who are opposed to the plan, and want to keep open space.'' At least two Government members have aligned themselves with the PLP.

Southampton West MP Mr. David Dodwell, a backbencher, has called for a rethink of the plans.

"Surely, somewhere, there must be a facility that is more readily capable of being utilised,'' he recently stated.

Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon, the other Southampton West MP, is also believed to support the protesters.

Government wants a secure place to house 16 or more boys and girls between the ages of nine and 16.

Schooling and counselling would be provided, along with farm work.

Notice of Government's proposal to the Development Applications Board has already been advertised in The Royal Gazette .

The notice allowed 14 days for objections, but the Gazette has already received letters from opponents calling for the 10.6-acre site to be left for farming.

Nearby resident Mr. Raymond Madeiros feared the price of residents' property would slump with a "jail in their backyard.'' But Mr. Edness yesterday said the criticisms of Tudor Farm amounted to "gross misstatements'' of fact and "misunderstandings.'' "One of the most disturbing criticisms is that we are going to destroy farmers' property and land that is available for farming. This is not true.'' He added: "It has also been said that we are proposing to stop farming. That is not true at all.'' Mr. Edness said people had to understand the size of the problem Bermuda faced.

A large and growing number of children needed to be treated for behavioural difficulties.

Mr. Edness attacked the suggestion the care home should be built next to the Westgate prison.

"I think that would send the wrong message to young people.''