A FARMER who has worked on the land for more than seven decades says she doesn't plan on stopping any time soon.

Joan Bomford, aged 82, was recently named Farming Hero at the BBC Countryfile awards ceremony in Bristol.

Mrs Bomford, who farms in South Littleton, said she was "absolutely stunned" when she heard her name announced by presenters Adam Henson and Charlotte Smith.

"I was sat there with my son, who nominated me, listening to them present awards to all of these people for things such as wine-making, street markets and cooking, and then suddenly they said my name and I couldn't believe it," she said.

"I was the last award to be given. My son had to give me a nudge because I was stunned. Then I went up on stage to collect my award, which was lovely. I wasn't nervous to be on stage as I've given presentations on farming to many people over the years."

Mrs Bomford's son, Colin, nominated his mother because he thought "she deserved it" for all of her hard work over the years, which started just before she was eight-years-old.

"I grew up on a farm in Inkberrow. My family were contractors and farmers," she said.

"When the men went to war it left the old men and the young children to tend the farm, so I started milking cows, feeding cattle and by the time I was eight I was driving the tractor. I've stayed in farming all my life. I married a farmer and since my husband died I've completely taken over the farm, although I have some part-time help. I do the harrowing, the mud-carting, cleaning out the pens, the bailing.

"But I enjoy farming, I enjoy the early mornings when there's no one about. It's lovely when the new calves are born, it's like having a bigger family.

"The worst thing about farming is the paperwork. It is ridiculous. EU regulations means there is a lot of red tape, but they don't seem to realise that farming must go with the weather."

When she's not farming, Mrs Bomford is giving riding lessons and working with Riding for the Disabled.

And she doesn't plan on stopping soon.

She added: "I'm 83 in June but I won't stop farming. A farmer never retires, they just pass away."