THE national president of the Country and Landowners Association (CLA) is stopping off in Dorset on a tour of the south west.

Harry Cotterell is going on a fact-finding tour of the region on October 10 and 11 to hear about challenges and opportunities facing farming and rural businesses.

He will attend an evening drinks reception at the Keep in Dorchester’s Military Museum on October 11.

He hopes to hear how rural businesses are linking with the Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Local Economic Partnership.

CLA south west director John Mortimer said: “It is a hectic programme which will take us to all six counties and from one end of the region to the other.

“But the president feels it is important to stay in touch with the grass roots of our organisation and to hear from members at first hand the issues that are affecting their businesses on a day-to-day basis.”

Other stops will include Gloucestershire, Hartham Park in Wiltshire, Rockbeare, near Exeter, and at Wedmore in Somerset.

Mr Cotterell will be focusing on a wide range of issues including the lack of broadband access in rural areas, opportunities and threats in the renewable energy sector and the localism agenda.

He will also look at rural tourism and the impact of the summer floods.