A METHODIST minister who took part in milk-price demonstrations in South Lakeland has been revealed as head of the county's first farming chaplaincy.

The Rev Chris Blackshaw will lead the Cumbria Agricultural Chaplaincy which is being launched at a special service in Eden at the end of the month.

Mr Blackshaw, who is based in Kirkoswald near Penrith, accompanied milk producers when they demonstrated at Kendal's Asda and Aldi supermarkets on August 7.

Afterwards he told the Gazette that he wanted to show the new chaplaincy's support for 'our struggling farmers'.

The chaplaincy will be officially launched at a commissioning service in Penrith Auction Mart on August 30 at 7pm.

Mr Blackshaw said: "The ethos of the chaplaincy is to support the agricultural family, which includes farmers, vets, auction mart staff and anyone else connected to agriculture, through difficult times.

"These difficulties may involve family problems, depression, stress, suicide, isolation, trauma, bereavement, financial problems, addictions plus any other problem that may arise.

"We have estimated our budget to be £90,000 over the next three years. Already we have made grant applications to various funding bodies to enable our work to continue and have to date received £45,000 from the Methodist Connexion and £13,000 from all the circuits in Cumbria.

"Over the next three years we need to raise another £32,000 to cover the cost of our work. I am confident that God, who has led us in this vision of establishing the chaplaincy, will also ensure that the funds are there to ensure our work continues.

The service will be held in the presence of Richard Teal, chairman of the Methodist District of Cumbria, Sarah Moore, area president of the United Reform Church, and Robert Freeman Bishop of Penrith.

Guest speaker will be Howard Petch, past principal of Bishop Burton Agricultural College in Beverley.