A MAN from Mamble, near Tenbury Wells, will represent farmers across the West Midlands after becoming NFU regional board chairman.

Clive Davies was voted into the post at an NFU regional board meeting in Telford.

The livestock farmer, who is also Worcestershire NFU chairman, takes over from Warwickshire farmer Har ry Johnson who has come to the end of his term of office.

Mr Davies, who has a pedigree herd of Hereford cattle and an award winning flock of Shropshire sheep, will be assisted by Shropshire farmer David Mills as his deputy.

Mr Mills, who farms near Craven Arms, is currently Shropshire NFU chairman and is also chairman of the re gional NFU poultry board.

Mr Davies said: “This is a critical time for our industry and the NFU with many big issues in the months ahead including the drive to improve farm profitability and reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

“We have a lot of work to do to inform members of what the NFU can offer and is doing, we need to continue to promote the union within the industry and we also need to play our part in selling British farming and the countryside for everyone.”

Mr Davies, who is also active within regional agricultural and breed societies and does a lot of work with the next generation, said he wanted to thank Har ry Johnson for his efforts in the post.

He said: “Har ry was a really solid and committed regional board chairman and I hope to continue the hard work.

“I am also really pleased that David will be my deputy and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the re gional board to represent farmers and growers from across the West Midlands.”

Mr Johnson, who farms near Leamington Spa, served three years as regional board chairman and said Clive was a worthy successor.

He said: “The first time I met Clive was when he was Tenbury NFU branch chairman and since then he has gone on to be county chairman and I have always been really impressed with his ability.

“I’m delighted to see him become re gional board chairman and I can’t think of a better person to succeed me as Clive and he has the NFU and its members’ interests at his heart.”