FARMERS hit by the devastating floods in Cumbria suffered losses averaging £47,000, a survey has shown.

The National Farmers' Union revealed the financial impact after surveying more than 200 of the estimated 600 farmers hit by the flooding in the county in December.

An average of 54 sheep were lost from each farm, while more than half (53 per cent) of the farmers quizzed have had gravel or stone debris deposited on their land as a result of the floods.

Of those with debris left on their land by the flood waters, more than half (54 per cent) will have to hand pick it off the fields, the survey found.

It also revealed that 58 per cent required help to access funding, 13 per cent need help with clearing up and two thirds (67 per cent) intended to apply for the Government's flood recovery fund.

The NFU also said the results of a wider weather survey of 527 farmers across England and Wales revealed two thirds had been hit by a severe weather event which affected their business, and two thirds of those said the event was flooding or very wet conditions.

Many called for more accurate weather forecasts and a three monthly weather forecast, with predictions for rainfall particularly key.

NFU director of policy Dr Andrew Clark said farmers could play a role in averting flooding elsewhere by allowing their land to flood, but it had to go hand in hand with producing food, and farmers should be paid for it.

"We need assurance that action on farmland is backed by a strong research base and action across a catchment sees the right number of measures in the right locations to reduce flood risk.

"Holding back water does not come without its own costs and repercussions, such as lost crops or damaged grassland, or even water contamination.

"This is why we are calling for the Government's review to work with all partners and fund solutions over the long term.

"Flood services offered by farm businesses would, in some cases, make a very considerable saving for the wider economy but must be accompanied by incentives for farmers.

"And it's essential that these should be voluntary measures rather than a requirement."

He added that the productivity of the land in question should be considered - so that high-value soils are not flooded when rough grazing could be used instead - and flood management measures needed to be carefully designed for local catchments.