West Dorset MP Chris Loder recently led a summit with local farmers and members of the National Farmers' Union in Thorncombe, hosted by first-generation dairy farmers Sophie and Tom Gregory.

Mr Loder, who is a tenant beef farmer's son and passionate about rural issues, took questions and discussed topics including the future of Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester, and the efficacy of the Rural Payments Agency.

He commented: "Today's summit has been very productive, answering a real range of questions on local farmers' concerns.

"The provision of agricultural-based education was a particularly important topic given the need to encourage young people into farming and we need to do all we can to inform young people of the origins of their food, how it gets onto their plate and the need to ensure that young people in West Dorset who want to enter the farming industry can do so.

"It is also encouraging to hear of local farmers' desire to include farming and agriculture on the national curriculum. To have an element of the curriculum dedicated to where our food comes from and how it is produced can only be a good thing.

"I'll will be raising these points with education officials to see what can be achieved."