FARMERS are worried about the shortage of hay this year - because heavy rainfall has spoiled the crop.

The National Farmers' Union also points to other problems facing the industry nationwide, including potential potato blight and difficulties with pea-harvesting, brought on by the wet weather.

The old adage about making hay while the sun shines has a strong basis in fact - the recent rains have hit hay-making hard and left livestock farmers facing possible winter feed shortages.

North Benfleet farmer Robert Lyon said: "Our hay barn is a quarter full. It should be full up at this time of year.

"Hay is used as feed for horses in winter.

"Because of the drought in April, we didn't get the weather needed to grow the grass, so there was less bulk and less yield.

"Now the wet weather has stopped farmers cutting the hay.

"They are holding off, because if they cut it now, the quality will go downhill.

"If it is left cut and it gets wet, then it goes mouldy and will be ruined."

Shortages are likely to lead to an increase in hay prices of between 30 and 50 per cent, Mr Lyon said.

"We normally take 60 to 80 bales of hay from each acre of land," he explained.

"We have half that - and we are the lucky ones. The price of hay has been static for about six years, but now it will have to go up."

Gail Potter, who runs Royal Wood Riding Club in Hockley, said: "This definitely will affect horse owners. A shortage will make hay expensive.

"At the moment we are paying £2 a bale. We could end up paying double that.

"If it's too difficult to get hold of, then we will have to use a more expensive substitute.

"It is likely to impact on straw as well, which is used for bedding.

"There have been shortages before, but this looks to be one of the worst.

"We have never had weather like this."