Farmers in mid-Essex whose fields have been waterlogged by heavy rainfall over the past eight weeks are hoping the weather will turn fine this month.

Essex National Farmers' Union chairman John Jolly, who farms at Burnham, said the spring deluge had dealt a huge blow to many fellow farmers.

Mr Jolly said: ''The future is looking bleak for some cash-strapped farmers because if we have another month like the previous two all could be lost.

''It could bring some farmers to their knees."

He said that if only GM crops were acceptable in the UK, the sodden fields would be eminently suitable for a modified strain of rice.

Mr Jolly was concerned that farmers were not getting good prices for grain, and that some had not been able to plant seeds in waterlogged fields.

He commented: ''The NFU persuaded the government to extend the EU sowing directive to May 15 so farmers would not lose their subsidies.

''Many decided not to lose money by drilling, despite the sodden fields because leaving it so late would produce a poor yield anyway.

''Sprays and fertilisers have been washed away and it means that weeds have flourished.

''What we need is a mixture of sun and rain to get us back on the right track before it is too late."

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