The Bishop of Colchester today issued an SOS to Tony Blair to safeguard rural life.

The Right Rev Edward Holland said some people in positions of responsibility had no experience of the countryside and the way it needed to be managed. He called on the Government to ease concerns.

Mr Holland wants a long-term strategy for British agriculture, responding to the threat to the rural way of life.

Last year 18,000 farm workers across Britain lost their jobs or quit the profession because of economic pressures.

Mr Holland said together the churches and others needed to make the difficulties in the countryside and the possibilities of strengthening rural life better known .

He said more should follow the example set by the farmers market in Colchester which he said was a good illustration of the way the community could support local farmers and obtain produce from the land.

The House of Bishops - made up of leading clergy - have expressed regret that the Government has not introduced a retirement scheme for farmers - as found in other European countries.

He said: "It is important those in power listen to these concerns and do everything they can to give support, particularly to those who are losing their livelihood but also to strengthen communities that are under threat."

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