I WOULD ask Mr G Smith (Letters, March 3) if he has ever spent any time on a working farm?

Would he be prepared to work seven days a week, with no holidays, getting up at 5.30am and some days not finishing until 10 or 11pm?

And, on top of that, be expected to remain unconcerned when his business is losing money through no fault of his own?

As for objections to contributing to subsidies, I wonder if he considers where the rest of his contributions go - possibly to a person claiming benefits to which they are not truly entitled; into the pocket of someone too idle to work, who takes no responsibility for their own life whatsoever, but expects the state to provide them with a home, clothing, food and beer money?

I suggest Mr Smith and all the other self appointed "townies" who constantly knock farmers get off their backsides and come and find out what he describes as the "country lifestyle," is really about.

E MIDGLEY, Bull Hill Cottages, Darwen.

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