NFU Cymru are backing a call for more people to help with lambing as the foot and mouth crisis means that Mid Wales farmers cannot get to their sheep that have been 'tacked' on lowland farms in West Wales.

Movement restrictions mean that the ewes cannot be moved home for lambing, and will have to lamb outdoors on host farms. Their owners cannot get to them to help them lamb, and the host farmers often do not have the right skills.

There are some 24,000 ewes on tack in West Wales, and April 1st saw lambing begin in earnest and skilled 'lambers' are urgently needed, says Graham Perkins from the West Wales Machinery Ring.

"We currently have nine lambers on our books, but we desperately need more," he says. "We are running one-day courses with funding from Pembrokeshire County Council with a veterinary surgeon for people interested in learning these skills so that they can help out during this crisis.

"We are also offering our services to farmers who have no one to help their tack ewes lamb.

"We want to minimise movement in the countryside, so we are looking for local people in West Wales are can help on farms close to their homes."

Anyone who would like to use the services of a lamber, or is interested in training to help during the crisis, should contact Graham Perkins on (01437) 720730.