FARM incomes last year rose by 15pc, according to new statistics from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Estimated total farming income in the UK in 2002 is put at £2.36 billion, compared to £2.07 billion in 2001.

Income per head rose by 20pc, with the average full-time farmer earning £11,136 in 2002.

This is the second year running that there has been an increase, although total income is still far below its 1995 peak.

Food and farming minister Lord Whitty said: "This increase in incomes is good news, especially when the increasing levels of income from diversification by farmers into other activities, which is only partly reflected in these statistics, is taken into account."

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, February 05, 2003