WEST Dorset farmers have been busy helping raise money for charity and thanks in part to their efforts the Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution were presented with a cheque for £26,000 from the Forde Abbey summer fair.

The cheque was presented to both charities at a lunch held at Forde Abbey to thank the volunteer committee and the sponsors – NFU Mutual and Mole Valley.

Alice Kennard of Forde Abbey said: “I’d like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s fair such a success and for helping us to raise such an amazing amount of money for two worthwhile charities.”

Paul Bennett, West Dorset NFU group secretary said: “The fair this year raised a record amount providing £13,000 for each charity.

“For many years now, West Dorset farmers have helped on the occasion with many other volunteers.”