FARMERS along the Severn Estuary will be left to try and hold back the tide and clear up washed debris on their own in future.

Bosses at the Environment Agency say they cannot justify spending public money to maintain some of the flood defences along the River Severn.

Farmers in Awre and Minsterworth will be worst hit. Some say flood prevention work done elsewhere and a massive rubbish tip on the opposite side of the Severn has made their problems worse.

Steve King told The Forester he feels 'abandoned' at his 400 acre Moorcroft House Farm, which has flooded four times since 2000.

"Building up defences elsewhere has put extra pressure on us and it feels like we are being used to protect Gloucester," he said.

"They will not even be trimming the grass this year, never mind maintaining the defences. If they can't afford to do the work, how can we? They have all the kit and the manpower to tackle a job like that, we are farmers."

For the full story, read The Forester.