2012 a washout for farmers

Leak harvesting at Southery on the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire border is hard, labour-intensive work at the best of times. But too much rain and not enough sunshine have left large areas waterlogged. Yields are down by around 30%. It is a similar situation with other vegetables such as onions and potatoes.

2012 was a particularly bad year for weather - drought conditions and a dry early spring gave way to months of rain. The rainfall in this region was the highest seen since records began in 1910.

This meant major events such as the Suffolk Show were cancelled while summer holidays were ruined at places like Billing Aquadrome.

But farmers may be feeling the consequences of the weather more than most. Grain harvests have been low and the quality is poor, meaning prices are rising.

The National Farmers Union says people have to be realistic about the supply and demand of food but the British Retail Consortium say consumers should not panic.