Farmers' co-operative CCF Ltd has stepped in to help a charity working to help farming families who have fallen on hard times.

The co-operative is publicising the ARC Addington 'Give A Little, Help A Lot' campaign by mailing out leaflets with its monthly newsletter.

The charity's representative in Wales, Gill Gibson, said it would help the campaign to reach a wider audience.

The aim of the scheme, established 18 months ago, is to provide people exiting rural business to do so with dignity.

Farmers can play their part by contributing 5p a head from the sale of lambs and pigs at local livestock markets and 25p a head for each beast.

"We are very grateful to CCF for sponsoring these leaflets," said Gill Gibson. Next month, the co-operative will be sending out leaflets on behalf of the Farm Crisis Network with its newsletters, she added.

"They are helping us to target an audience which recognises the value of what we are doing," said Gill, who is also co-ordinator for south and west Wales for the Farm Crisis Network.

The network has three groups of volunteers in Wales who are working with rural people experiencing problems. "Their problems may be financial, bereavement or many other difficulties which can impact on an already stretched farming business,'' said Gill.