Farmer David Exwood has been declared a leader in his field - quite literally.

The 31-year-old has been named runner-up in the National Farmers' Union Young Farmer of the Year contest.

David, of Westons Farm, Itchingfield, near Horsham, won £200 for his feat.

He farms 850 acres of arable and grassland with beef cattle and sheep, having started on a farm of only 160 acres.

He has also had to look after his two children, Tom, five, and Fred, three, on his own since his wife Caroline died of breast cancer two years ago.

He said: "I'm very pleased - it's very nice to be recognised nationally for all the work I do. Despite the fact I didn't win, I'm very pleased to get this far."

David, who won Young Farmer of the Year in the South-East in December, said: "Farmers are having a difficult time now and it's far worse than most realise. With the wet weather we're worse off in Sussex than elsewhere.

"Having said that, I am optimistic for the future, because although in Government circles they believe farming is a part of history, farmers are tougher and more resourceful than they think."

David was also last year's winner of a national "Tasty Farmer" contest and now helps promote the British Farm Standard logo.

Another farmer has been honoured in the union's Farming Entrepeneur of the Year competition.

Peter Barfoot, an exotic vegetable producer, who runs Barfoots of Botley Ltd in Bognor, was runner up.