MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has appealed for local farmers caught up in the latest Rural Payments Agency debacle to contact him as a matter of urgency.

Some 9,000 farmers across England and Wales have been left millions of pounds out of pocket because of Rural Payments Agency (RPA) computer problems.

It means the Single Farm Payment cash they were expecting four months ago has still to arrive.

This week the RPA offered them 50 per cent Treasury-funded bridging payments until the full amount comes through – by June, according to RPA officials.

But Mr Liddell-Grainger says that will probably not be enough to end the hardship for many.

“The fact is that this couldn’t have happened at a worse time,” he said.

“Prices for nearly everything are on the floor and this will be a year when farmers will be depending more than ever on the support of the SFP.

“There are now clear signs that the cash shortage is spreading to machinery agents and other suppliers and I know many farmers are having a tough time persuading the banks to continue extending credit.

“I have no idea how many farmers in my constituency are affected but I would urge them to get in touch with me immediately so that I can do whatever I can to help them through this appalling – but hopefully short-term – crisis.”