PROMINENT Cumbrian farmer Alistair Mackintosh has revealed his ambition to become the next National Farmers' Union (NFU) president.

Mr Mackintosh confirmed to the Gazette that he would compete for the top job at the NFU's annual conference in February.

The 57-year-old said: "I have allowed my name to be put forward and will be travelling round the country next week for a series of hustings in support of my candidacy."

Mr Mackintosh, who farms at Muncaster Hall Farm, Ravenglass, is a former NFU livestock chairman and currently sits on Cumbria's NFU council.

In 2012 he unsuccessfully stood for the role of NFU vice-president.

If successful this time, he would be the first Cumbrian to rise to the top of the organisation in its 106-year history.

Nominations for candidates closed last Friday and Mr Mackintosh's name was accepted after he received the required number of nominations.

Mr Mackintosh, a sheep, beef and arable farmer, moved to Cumbria 35 years ago and since that time has held a variety of posts in the NFU. He has also been on the board of the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX).

To get the top job, Mr Mackintosh will have to unseat the current president Welshman Meurig Raymond, who has shown his support for Cumbrian farmers on several occasions, particularly on thed question of low milk prices and devastation caused by December's floods.