Heavy rainfall is expected across much of England this week, increasing the threat of further flooding in the South and Midlands. Farmers from around the country have rallied to help their counterparts in flood hit regions.

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Somerset farmer James Winslade requested and received help moving his herd of 500 animals from the village of Moorland as rising waters approached last week. Almost 95 percent of Winslade's land is now underwater. He told ITV on Wednesday that without help, he believes his cattle would have perished.

On Tuesday, workers at Melton Mowbray cattle market collected donations of hay and straw and auctioned a lamb for the benefit of those in flood-hit regions. The group has made arrangements with hauliers for the first lorry-load of fodder to be transported to Somerset for free.  

Norfolk-based buying group Anglia Farmers Announced on Wednesday that its members had donated in excess of £4,500 in just 24 hours to help pay for deliveries of forage to flood-hit farmers. Farmers in Cambridgeshire and West Yorkshire have also been quick to respond with donations of fodder and bedding.

Tim Webster, who organised the collection and lamb auction at Melton Mowbray said, "Over the weekend I thought 'I have to do something,' so I asked a few farmers, got a few pledges and got in touch with the NFU in Bridgewater."

Farmers have donated teleporters and handlers to Sedgemoor cattle market, which is acting as a distribution centre. Mr Webster said, "They have a lot at the market at the moment, and most [displaced] cattle are on host farms. What they're looking for is pledges for eight to ten weeks down the line, once farms have been drained and disinfected and the cattle are taken home."    

Commenting on the value of the collective action from farmers all over the country, he added, "I'm sure farmers down there would have helped us if we were in their situation. We're all working for the same goal… just trying to help other farmers."

The first load of silage and hayage destined for Somerset will leave Melton on Monday. The main difficulty those in Melton have had organising donations for their counterparts in the South West has been in securing transportation for the fodder to Bridgewater. Mr Webster said, "Farmers have been very generous, we've had fodder beet, carrots, hay and straw, but fuel is the issue. You're looking at £300 to £400 worth of diesel for the round trip. We have been asking for help from local businesses and spoken to the Young farmers, who are planning an event to raise money with bands playing."

Mr Webster recommended that anyone hoping to organise a collection for those in the south get in touch with Sedgemoor to find out what's needed and when, and organise with others in their area where possible.

Despite the well-organised response from farmers in the area, the situation in the South remains tense; those in Somerset have said it could take months for their land to drain, and more heavy rainfall is on the way this week.

Speaking on Tuesday, when he announced that £10 million would be allocated to farmers affected by the floods, Prime Minister David Cameron said the ongoing crisis had brought out the best in people. At a Downing Street press conference on Tuesday, the Prime Minister praised the actions of those in communities who have offered help to their neighbours and shown solidarity, stating, "As is so often the case, in the toughest of times we are seeing the best of Britain."

However, it appears that ministers' behaviour has not been exemplary; after controversial comments made about the Environment Agency over the weekend, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles faced criticism and challenging questions in Parliament on Monday. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who Pickles is temporarily replacing as coordinator of the government's response to flooding, also reportedly complained to the Prime Minister over Pickles' "Showboating."

The Communities secretary denied having attacked the Environment Agency in Parliament and accused the Labour MPs questioning him of seeking to score "party political points." On Tuesday, Labour leader Ed Miliband called for an end to "finger pointing" over the response to flooding, which first hit areas of the Somerset Levels before Christmas.         

**Update 13/02/2014 11.00 - comments from interview with Tim Webster added**