A local MP has expressed her "strong support" for local farmers at the Conservative Party’s annual conference.

Dame Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, attended the National Farmers’ Union stand at the conference and spent time talking to the NFU president, Tom Bradshaw.

The MP has said she continues to back local farmers to keep doing their "amazing job", and has been an advocate of protection of high-quality agricultural land. With more than 5,700 people working in agriculture across Worcestershire, the farming sector remains important to the local economy, being worth £1.5 billion.

"During the election campaign, I made clear manifesto commitments about maintaining financial support.

 “There was nothing in the Labour party manifesto and with a Budget coming up farmers are worried that the rug will be pulled from under their feet.

“Support like the sustainable Farming Initiative and land stewardship schemes have helped farmers to bridge the gap in their budgets but nationally Labour have shown no recognition of the challenges farmers face to put food on our tables."