A farmer who launched a campaign to get free forage to snow-hit hill livestock producers says he has been overwhelmed by the response.

Forage worth £60,000 has been donated since Lincolnshire grower Andrew Ward launched the appeal less than two weeks ago. Reacting quickly to the appeal, Massey Ferguson have also come forward and sponsored a truck load of forage to help some of the hardest hit farmers during the recent bad weather.

Mr Ward, who farms at Leadenham, started the campaign after deciding he "couldn't sit back and do nothing" while he had forage in the barn and other farmers had none.Since then, four lorry loads of donated forage have been transported free to livestock farmers in the north of England and Wales. A number of additional loads are planned, with ongoing distribution to those livestock farmers most in need.

"I've been overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone I’ve spoken to," said Mr Ward. "I don't think one person I have contacted has said they can't help."

Mr Ward sent a load of his own haylage to Cumbria , and appealed to others to do the same. Massey Ferguson immediately contacted Mr Ward and offered their help.

“The livestock sector is of huge importance to Massey Ferguson” says Lindsay Haddon, Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager. “ We were delighted to be able to support this initiative, and hope that in some small way, we are able to help those who are struggling with the ongoing effects of poor grass growth, especially in the middle of lambing”