Farming charity R.A.B.I. (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) reports a steep rise in the amount of money paid to farmers in financial difficulty.

In the three months between June and August the charity paid £84,000 in emergency grants to 54 working farmers - 75% more money to one-third more people than in the same period last year.

In addition R.A.B.I. paid £93,000 in extra, one-off grants to non-working or disabled farmers it already supports on a long-term basis – 29% more money to 8% more people compared to 2011.

Head of welfare Trish Pickford said: "Some of the increase in the number of people contacting us may be due to the success of the ‘Just Ask!' campaign we launched earlier this year to encourage people to contact us. But it's also clear that farmers and farm workers are phoning because they are really struggling.

"Some have simply reached the limit of their ability to juggle finances and borrow more. Others have suffered as a result of this year's extreme weather which led to reduced yields and incomes, and also because of substantial rises in costs for things like animal feed and fertiliser."

R.A.B.I. receives around two new calls for help every working day.

Mrs Pickford said: "As a welfare charity it's families we support, not businesses. For example, we ensure people are claiming the state benefits they are entitled to, tell them where to go for further advice, and help with domestic bills.

"This year weve paid for things like funeral costs, utilities and council tax arrears. We've also provided grants for household repairs, given emergency cash to people waiting for state benefits, paid for clothing, and supplied food vouchers.

"These grants are in addition to those we give to help elderly and disabled people buy specialist equipment, or to working farmers to pay for temporary labour if they fall ill or have an accident.

"Farming has a bright future, but not everyone can take advantage of the opportunities available and it's important that people know we are here to help when it matters most."

To contact R.A.B.I. for confidential help call freephone 0300 303 7373 (mobile costs vary). For more information see the website www.rabi.org.uk