FARMERS in the Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire Cotswolds have been encouraged to help flood-hit colleagues locally and further afield.

Anthony Colburn, the president of the Moreton-in-Marsh Show Society, addressing more than 100 people at the show’s farm and crop awards presentation evening on Thursday, said: “Generally, weather-wise, we’re not as badly off as some others and I would like to remind you that there are organisations that are doing something to help some of the farmers who are in really serious trouble at the moment.

"I would urge you all, if you can, to contribute in some way.”

Mr Colburn said that the National Farmers’ Union was co-ordinating relief for farming families in need and that the Camgrain farmers’ co-operative was arranging to send feed supplies to help farmers hit by the severe flooding on the Somerset Levels. Farmers who are members of the co-op are being asked to donate a tonne of grain each.

He added: “I do think that at a time like this, we really should think of those less fortunate.”