Hundreds of farmers and their families from across the district will be turning out in force on Sunday to demonstrate a show of strength to the Government.

Organisers at the Wharfedale and Craven groups of the National Union of Farmers say that masses of farmers from the region will make the trip across the Pennines to attend a rally in Blackpool, being held to coincide with the eve of the Labour Party Conference in the town.

The rally has been organised by the NFU as part of the Keep Britain Farming campaign and aims to send a strong message to the Government - to help the farming industry out or see it fold.

Otley-based NFU secretary Michael Rhodes said: "Feelings are running high among the farming industry, with many people dreading the coming winter and probable financial ruin.

"The aim of the rally is to let the Government know the strength of feeling in the farming industry and let them know that it is quickly going down-hill.

"The strength of the pound makes it very difficult for us to export goods and all sectors of the industry are depressed. We need the Government to intervene, reduce interest rates and allow the pound to weaken before the situation gets any worse for us than it already is."

Coaches have been organised by the NFU in Skipton to transport farmers to Blackpool, with others making their own way there. At 2pm, an address will be given by NFU officials at Blackpool Football Club ground, followed by a march along the Promenade to the North Pier.

Farmer Peter Ashby, of Rose Tree Farm, Farnley, near Otley, said: "We have to stand up for ourselves and get a fair deal - we're being denied our freedom of choice."

Geoff Church, a farmer at Moorside Farm in Askwith, said he felt the Government had turned its back on the industry.

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