CHILDREN perceive farmers as grumpy, ruddy-cheeked, scruffy old men and a farm is the last place they would want to live, research commissioned by the National Farmers Union (NFU) has found.

The stark findings have prompted the NFU to launch a Food and Farming roadshow that hopes to redress the balance, which is on its way to Swindon.

But two local farmers have hit back, saying the stereotypical image of farmers is just a popular misconception.

Helen Browning, 40, who runs the organic Eastbrook Farm in Bishopstone, said farmers invariably looked grumpy because their job was not easy.

Her farm was closed for 12 days during the foot and mouth crisis last year, and for a while it looked as if Helen would loose her livestock.

"Like most grumpy old men, farmers usually turn out to be quite nice once people get to know them," she said.

"Farming is a thankless task, but we do it because of the huge emotional ties involved with tending the land.

"Farmers are under a huge amount of stress, especially over the past couple of years, but there is still a massive amount of enthusiasm.

"The roadshow sounds like a good idea. I think it's important that children engage in farming anything that increases their understanding of rural affairs has to be good, after all farmers rely on public support."

In the nationwide survey of 500 seven to 12-year-olds, 77 per cent said farmers were unfriendly, a third thought they were scruffy and 80 per cent described them as "not cheerful".

The roadshow visits Swindon when it comes to Sainsburys in Bridgemead on August 28 from 9am to 5pm.

In addition, it is hoped a new NFU internet children's club, featuring a host of games and competitions will generate childrens' interest in farming once again.

Rupert Burr, 47, who runs Roves Farm in Sevenhampton, has recently reopened his visitor centre after the foot and mouth crisis, that cost him £70,000.

Mr Burr blamed petty regulations for causing ignorance among many youngsters when it came to rural matters.

Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs rules state that Mr Burr cannot take any of his sheep, goats or pigs in to schools or to community events, but he is free to let his livestock mix with others from around the country.

"I'm fed up with this negative attitude being shown to farmers," he said. "It is little wonder farmers are perceived to be grumpy old men when they work long days in an industry on its knees in the wake of the crisis.

"It's very difficult to get any positive message about farming across to the public when the industry is in such a state.

"How can we get people to talk about issues when there are so many rules and regulations that govern farming?

"Hardly any farmers that I know are grumpy old men we're just the same as everyone else.

"The fact that we don't go out as much as everyone else is an indication that we work long days week in week out."

He admitted the roadshow might do some good.

"All children seem to read in the media is about farmers having a good old whinge about something or another," he said.

"I think schoolchildren should be taken onto farms to understand the countryside and how food is made.

"Kids that live in the middle of towns or big cities hardly ever get the chance to visit a farm and that's sad.

"It amazes me how little people nowadays know about farming or where food comes from. We face an uphill struggle, but may be this roadshow can help get the message across."

www.friendlyfarmclub.com