A GROUP of young farmers raised over £2,800 through a tractor run held in memory of a member who took his own life.

Some 72 tractors took part in the Upton Young Farmers' Club event at Hollybeds Farm in Upton, near Worcester.

The vehicles drove over 30 miles for the mental health charity Mind and the Nathan Tomkins Trust.

Mr Tomkins, who suffered from depression, was just 22-years-old when he killed himself on Christmas Eve in 2016.

Nathan's brother, Matt Tomkins, previously said: "He knew everybody, whether you were one-month-old or 100-years-old he knew how to make you happy.

"[He had a] big smile, he could make people laugh. He was fighting depression for a long time. He obviously thought he had no other way out."

The former Hanley Castle High School pupil, from Earls Croome, near Malvern, was a keen sportsman who played for Upton Rugby Club.

The tractor run was held on April 22 and was the second run to take place in memory of Mr Tomkins.

Some 58 tractors took part in last year's run, raising £3,500 for Mind.

Hellen Thatcher, the mother of one of the organisers, said: "72 tractors turned out this year again covering a similar distance with two pub stops and a BBQ back at the farm. Whilst all money has not been counted it looks like over £2,800 has been raised.

"We were not expecting quite as much money this year as several events have been organised in memory of Nathan between the two tractor runs.

"But the aim was for more tractors - this was obviously exceeded and money still more than expected."