It ain't easy for a posse of cowboys to build a Wild West town in them thar hills of north-east Scotland.

Alistair Baranowski, aka Johnny B, has found himself a tad light on ranch hands as he attempts to recreate the days of Billy the Kid and Wild Bill Hickock near Huntly.

The part-time cowpoke is anxious to enlist the assistance of a few stetson-clad helpers prepared to ride to the rescue and help him build his very own frontier town called Tranquility.

With his priorities clearly established, Johnny B built Tranquility's saloon first and now a sheriff's office (complete with cell) is almost complete. There is also a cemetery, a corral and a water well. The Wild West enthusiast has permission from Aberdeenshire Council for a further six buildings and he is looking for wannabe cowboys to help him with the construction.

As yet the only attack on the town has been not from Indians but from neighbours who fired hostile shots at the proposals, fearful that Tranquility would not live up to its name, thanks to the "shoot-outs" Mr Baranowski planned for the woods near his home during living history weekends.

But he was able to fend off the attack and won permission, with a number of conditions.

Now he is keen to build a school, bank, undertaker's, general store and telegraph office in his field at Drumblair.

The 54-year-old, who was a history and geography teacher for 22 years before running a post office, is a founder member of Open Range, a national association of Wild West enthusiasts. Tranquility also has its own gunfighters' group, the Northern Rough Riders.

He added: "We need to take time out to rehearse for the occasional Wild West show. The more people who help, the quicker the town will grow.

"We are appealing for anyone interested in helping to get in touch. Entry to Tranquility is by invitation only - that is one of the planning conditions."