Farmer says 'nightmare' summer worst since 1976

Martin Williams described this year's summer as a "nightmare"

A farmer has described this summer as a "nightmare" and called it the worst for agriculture since 1976.

Martin Williams, a third generation arable farmer in Fownhope, suggested 2025 could be a write-off for his farm.

"It's burnt to brown, it looks like toast. It's all straggly and dead, and it's not really good for much at all," he said.

In 1976, a peak temperature of 35.9C (96.6F) was registered in Cheltenham while a peak temperature of 34.9C (94.4F) has been registered in London in 2025.

Mr Williams added: "I don't think we're going to get much of a crop off here if anything.

"I hate to be the farmer who moans about the weather, and when the sun is out who wants to moan? But actually, it's been very difficult."

He said: "You keep thinking it's going to rain tomorrow, it might rain next week but next week hasn't yet happened.

"It's lovely to wear your shorts every day but unfortunately, if you're not selling ice creams every day and you're trying to grow crops it's not ideal."