Farmers are calling on the government to do more following this year's extreme weather - as Kent registered its second-hottest summer on record.

According to the Met Office, the county's warmest summer was in 2003, with average temperatures of 18.16C, compared to 18C this year.

During the hot spell, farmers were hit hard by a lack of rainfall, with acres of land completely destroyed by a spate of uncontrollable cornfield fires.

Scroll down for audio

Despite meeting with the Environment Secretary last month, the National Farmers' Union says very little has been done to support those affected.

According to the NFU, three quarters of farmers will be short on animal feed this winter, with dairy and cattle farmers among the worst affected.

NFU South East spokeswoman, Isobel Bretherton, said: "It's not been an easy year for farmers at all.

"We had a long extended winter, and then a very dry summer - with no rain for weeks on end.

"Even though we've had some rainfall now, it's not going to turn the situation around, so we had an emergency summit with the government on Wednesday, August 1.

"We are concerned, and we want to see some meaningful assistance for farmers."

The NFU is hoping the government will provide some flexibility for farmers this year, in terms of the rules that they operate to.

For example, using some areas of grass which have been earmarked for conservation for harvesting or grazing livestock.

Isobel said: "It's not impossible to put in place some flexibility, and we really need this.

"Farmers need all the grass they can get for their animals, and the ability to harvest grass growing on some of these conservation sites.

"Weather is one of the most unknown quantities that farmers deal with.

"It's something we can't control, and while farmers are used to dealing with the vagaries of the weather, sometimes there should be a bit of help from the government."