THE humorous and satirical musings of Appleby's outspoken National Farmers' Union group secretary Mike Sanderson have been gathered together in a new book.

Written in his own unique Cumbrian style, Not s'many cows and a lot less yows', has all the familiar satirical jibes at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Government, fellow farmers and his Uncle Bryan.

It is the second book from Mr Sanderson, NFU's Mr Cyncial and something of a star in the farming world thanks to his column in the NFU's British Farmer and Grower magazine.

He tends to call a spade a spade and is by no means shy when it comes to voicing his opinions.

"In the midst of foot-and-mouth I joked for obvious reasons that Not s'many cows and a lot less yows' (the Cumbrian word for sheep) would be the title of my next book," said Mr Sanderson. "The last thing on my mind at the time was a book but as time has gone on the title is even more poignant as my father has now retired from farming and we no longer have a farm house or any yows or cows.

"I would like to think that if someone buys this book they will smile at the things that I have smiled at during the last four years."

Former Cumbrian NFU county chairman Steve Dunning said: "Everybody who reads the NFU magazine always looks for Mike's page first. I have known him a lot of years and he does not improve."

l The book is available from Cumbrian book shops at £9.95 or can be bought direct from the author on 017683-51324 or from Hayloft Publishing on 017683-42300.