Farmers who were affected by flooding earlier this year have until 27^th June to apply for a claim from the £10 million flooding recovery fund.

There is only a week left until the deadline for claims of up to £35,000 to go towards repair or restoration work required in the wake of extreme weather that struck at the beginning of the year.

Launching the relief funding scheme, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said, "Our farming industry contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy every year. We want to see those farmers affected by flooding get back to business as soon as possible."

The wettest winter on record led to severe flooding between December 2013 and March this year, which hit farmers in the South particularly badly. At the height of flooding in the South West, 65km2 of the Somerset Levels was underwater.

Claims for funding can be made retrospectively, so farmers who have completed repair or restoration work can claim back some of their losses.

This time last month it was revealed that Defra had only paid out £530,000 of the £10 million fund, and farm groups expressed frustration at the requirements being asked of those applying for government funds.

Defra officials responded that they are acting to turn around applications quickly and that funding should be released in two weeks or less if applications are made properly.

Mr Paterson said, "We have simplified the application process, making it quicker and easier for farmers in need of support to receive up to £35,000 to get their land back into production."

Information on applying for recovery funding can be found here.