A RURAL experts is warning farmers to be vigilant after it was revealed that Cumbria and other areas of the north west saw a large increase in the number of farm deaths.

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show there were five fatalities in the year 2019/20 in the county and other parts of the region, compared to just one the year before.

Across Britain as a whole 21 people died in agriculture, forestry or fishing accidents over the last year, around half of the previous year, But the number of cases in the North West is the highest of any part of the country.

The North West fatalities range in age from four years old to 73. They include one young farmer, 28-year-old Nathan Atkinson, who tragically died on a farm in Lowick Bridge near Ulverston, after being crushed by a falling hay bale. Other deaths in the region included a man falling through the roof of a building and another suffering head injuries after being knocked over by a cow. A four year old boy was killed in Lancashire when he fell under a vehicle.

Simon Houghton, of Lycetts Risk Management Services, said while the efforts of farmers to raise the bar in terms of health and safety should be applauded, now was not the time to 'rest on one's laurels'.

"Agriculture’s high fatality rate still significantly outstrips that of other industries so managing risk better should be a top priority for all farming businesses, no matter the scale or size," he said.

"Health and safety fines remain high and we have seen farmers having to fork out hundreds of thousands of pounds for breaches in the past year. We know that time and resources can be scarce for farmers but cutting corners is simply not worth the potential economic hit," he added.