A rural insurer has warned that farmers in the south west are feeling the affects of the recent heatwave.

Rural insurance specialists, Lycetts, have said that the searing heat and lack of rain in recent months has taken its toll on farmers, who are faced with animal welfare issues, crop failure concerns and wildfire risk.

Simon Hay, of rural insurance specialists Lycetts, said: "Farmers are hurtling towards a crisis point.

"We have not seen weather like this in decades, and although people up and down the country are enjoying a break from the gloomy British summertime, it is sinking in that such unrelenting hot weather can have dire consequences, evidenced by the current public health warnings.

"Farmers have been battling to survive during this heatwave, faced with drought conditions, tinderbox fields, and livestock they can't feed.

"They are growing increasingly desperate with every day."

The insurer went on to say that some farmers are having to sell livestock they can't feed, as crop yields are down by at least 10 per cent due to the dryness, with many crops stopping their growth six weeks ago.

Hay said: "There is no grass for cows to graze and farmers are being forced to use their winter stocks, which are already low, to keep them going.

"This paves the way for a very challenging six months ahead."

Due to the dry fields, the possibility of wildfires has increased.

Hay said: "Fields are like tinder in this weather, so ensure that cigarettes are discarded of properly, refrain from lighting disposable BBQs, unless in designated areas, and don't leave any glass behind which could spark a fire. "Anyone who sees a fire should contact the fire authorities right away. "Even something as innocuous as a bit of smouldering can quickly escalate and cause extensive damage."