Farmers keen to find alternative incomes are increasingly turning to the internet, according to a survey by the National Farmers Union (NFU).

About 83 per cent of the UK's 300,000 farms are connected to the internet, compared to 62 per cent a year ago.

Of those farmers online, ten per cent said they used the internet to sell goods and services.

Advertising farm cottages and bed and breakfast accommodation were the most popular reasons.

The NFU estimates the average farmer now generates £13,000 by selling over the internet.

The value of farm produce sold over the net is estimated to have reached £325 million.

Ben Gill, NFU president, said: "The internet has become an integral part of people's lives and farmers are no exception."

The survey spoke to 1,000 farmers and growers in England and Wales.

www.nfu.org