THE Government’s response to the flooding in southern England has at times seemed little short of pathetic.

Now a group of North Yorkshire farmers have shown Whitehall the way.

They have just completed a 530-mile round trip with two tractors to deliver 16 bails of straw to Somerset farmers for their cattle.

A gesture, maybe: but sometimes that’s what is needed. “Seeing their faces made the trip worthwhile,” said organiser Myles Yates.

What a great effort. Well done to all concerned.