TALKS offering farmers information on changes to subsidies starts tonight in a County Durham hotel.

Chartered surveyors George F White have organised three talks following a successful conference attended by 300 people in Northumberland last month.

Under Common Agricultural Policy reform, one single payment will replace ten subsidy schemes.

The meetings will explain the impact of the changes on farmers and landowners.

The meetings are tonight at Helem Park Hall Hotel, near Tow Law, tomorrow, at the Three Wheat Heads, Thropton, Rothbury, and on Monday, February 21, at the Crossways Hotel, Thornley, in east Durham, all starting at 7.30pm.

Admission is free and a team of professionals will be on hand to answer specific questions. For details, call Tom Oates on (01665) 603231.