A SERVICE to celebrate rural life and give thanks for the farmers who produce our food is coming to Worcester Cathedral.

The County Harvest Festival, which takes place on Sunday, October 5 at 6.30pm, will feature prayers, traditional hymns and a procession by Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs.

Money raised from the event will be donated to the charity Farm Community Network (FCN), a group of volunteers who provide practical and pastoral support to those involved with farming and agriculture.

Reverend Phillip Jones, a mission development officer in the diocese of Worcester, who has helped to organise this year’s service, said: “People are increasingly aware of where their food comes from.

“They want to know where and how it started life, how it is produced, what is added to it and how it is processed before it appears on the supermarket shelves.

“With more than 50 per cent of our food home-grown this places a considerable responsibility on our farmers.

“Whatever the weather may bring, farming is a difficult and challenging way of life. Many farm households rely on a second source of income to supplement whatever profits the farm may produce. Many hours are spent working alone in often beautiful countryside, but this doesn't make up for the isolation.

“The Farming Community Network tries hard to persuade people to talk things over at the first sign of concern rather than letting a problem fester and it is great that we are able to support their work at this year’s County Harvest Festival.”

The service, which has been organised by the Chaplaincy for Agriculture and Rural Life, will include a presentation of gifts at the altar, a young farmers’ choir and a talk by George Dunn, chairman of trustees at FCN.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and light refreshments will be available.