THE Yorkshire Agricultural Society has given a helping hand to a leading charity in its support of farming in the North of England.

Chris Andrews, regional officer for The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, is seen, above, receiving a new car,from Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the YAS.

Mrs Andrews drives an average 25,000 miles a year covering Lancashire, Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham and Yorkshire in her work for RABI and, in addition, the charity's headquarters are in Oxford.

"I couldn't work as effectively without a reliable vehicle. The society's generosity is much appreciated," she said.

Mr Pulling said: "We have supported the work of RABI for many years, most recently through our YAS Farmers' Fund when it played a vital role in supporting farmers through the foot-and-mouth crisis. The repercussions of this will continue for many years, so the work of RABI is as important as ever."

Each year the society gives away about £160,000 to farming and countryside causes. Last year, RABI helped more than 940 farming families with one-off payments towards domestic bills, paying out more than £1.7m.