Farmers encouraged to grow greener with grants

The STEPS programme has helped farmers such a James Lowe (pictured) in Newent farm in a greener way

Severn Trent's Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) is opening up again.

It's been running for a decade with farmers able to apply for grants of up to £30,000.

The aim is to protect waterways from agricultural runoff, allowing farmers to winter crops and not leave fields bare.

The NFU has said it is encouraging members "to take advantage of the scheme".

James Lowe, who runs Blackhouse farm, used to be a dairy farmer but moved to crop farming a few years ago.

"STEPS has helped me by nudging me towards protecting the environment more," he said, adding that, when a crop is harvested you can "do nothing, so you end up with just the bare field so any remaining nitrates can be leached out into the groundwater".

The scheme provides farmers with a discount to ensure they plant winter crops such as grass, which won't make a profit but will help prevent agricultural run off.

Susey Bamber heads up the STEPS programme

Pollution from farmers has been a large contributor to the poor state of UK rivers along with sewage overflows.

This scheme sees a water company work with multiple farmers to come up with a solution.

In Gloucestershire, STEPS has given £120,000 to funding 35 farmers over the last 10 years.

Susey Bamber is the Severn Trent Senior Agricultural Advisor, said "every pound we spend can help save two and £20 in treatment costs".

Severn Trent added this in turn reduces customer bills.

The grants open on 1 February.