ENVIRONMENTAL experts will gather to discuss the challenges and prospects for farmers in one of the counties most outstanding natural areas.

The North Wessex Downs annual forum will be held on Wednesday, October, 17 with how Brexit will affect agriculture the top of the agenda for the meeting.

Expert speakers will discuss what the UK leaving the EU means for farmers in the area and how the landscape and wildlife is likely to change post Brexit.

Also on the agenda is the future of support payments for farmers in the long term and how public funding can be used to support the land.

The North Wessex Downs is designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and covers 668 square miles including large parts of southern Oxfordshire.

At the one day conference in Rushall Farm, Bradfield, Berkshire, Caroline Drummond, the director of Linking Environment and Farming, will give a talk on the big questions facing sustainable food and farming.

Guests will also be taken on a trailer ride tour of the farm to learn about organic farming methods and conservation efforts.

Historian Lady Sian Crisp will also lead a guided walk looking at how the farm and its landscape have changed through time.

Tickets are £15 including lunch and must be booked in advance at northwessexdowns.org.uk