AS PART of the church's continuing support for the renewal of farming communities, the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Michael Turnbull, paid a visit to the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service last week. He also visited two neighbouring farms.

UTASS is a pioneering, grass-roots project, built up over a number of years by the patient work of the local farming community, which involves several key local Christians, among others.

The Bishop went to see for himself how the project was able to offer practical support, such as computer training, and the degree of personal support which could provide a listening ear and real momentum for mutual and self support among the farmers.

Having seen how the project operated and having spoken to farmers, the Bishop said: "The work UTASS is doing to enable mutual and professional support for farmers is impressive, but what I saw on the farms tugged at my heart. At the moment, in spite of farmers' committed efforts, hill farming is in danger of disintegrating.

"With it will disappear a way of life, an important food supply and a beautiful farmed environment and landscape.

"Churches must work hard with local communities to ensure this desperate plight is brought again and again to the attention of government and the European community."