FARMERS from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire attended a conference at Malvern's Abbey Hotel on Wednesday.

The Lloyds TSB Agriculture MTR Farmer Open Forum conference was designed to help farmers plan their future in light of the mid-term review (MTR) of European Union farming policy.

This will significantly change the way farms are managed from January 2005.

Greg Fowler, regional agricultural manager for Lloyds TSB, said: "It's vital for farmers to have a clear understanding of the impact of the new regime and engage in the process of change."

The farmers had an opportunity for one-to-one discussions with advisors from local agricultural businesses.