FARMERS in Purbeck and South Dorset are calling for help to save them from ruin as they struggle with fields of crops near-ruined by this summer's wet weather.

Harvests are in danger of being decimated by the rains and water-logged ground with some crops already rotting away to the dismay of farmers who are asking the government to help them out on two fronts.

They want EU farm payments - which have been pushed back from December to next March - to be brought forward, and are calling for the government to help keep down the price of diesel.

Farmer Mike Watkins, of Vicarage Farm in Chaldon, near Winfrith, said: "This is the worst weather we have seen in at least 10 years. We have only harvested a quarter of our crop because of the rain.

"This season's crops are not a write-off yet, but their quality is deteriorating with every rainy day.

"You can see the very ripe heads of corn have dropped and when the deer run through it, it is completely ruined."

David Eyles, chairman of Purbeck NFU, added: "Despite all the government's pretensions about helping farmers, things are getting worse. It is clear that farmers will need some help with farm cash flow because of the poor harvest.

"EU payments need to be brought forward and we definitely need help on diesel prices."

Conservative parliamentary spokesman for South Dorset Ed Matts has been working on proposals to put to the government.

Calling for swift action, he added: "When farmers in Germany were affected badly by floods last year, the German government assisted them quickly by securing early payments of their EU farm subsidy."

South Dorset Labour MP Jim Knight said: "I'm looking forward to receiving any representation from the NFU.

"I understand farmers' position in requesting of bringing forward EU payments. That is something I'm happy to take up with the government and see if there is a realistic opportunity of achieving it."

He said it was less likely that red diesel used by the farming indust-ry would be subsidised further, but asked farmers to contact him so he could raise their concerns directly with the government.

First published: Sept 3