FORMER pupil Eve Hart says the closure of a school farm could deny some children the chance of a career in agriculture.

Miss Hart, 22, an ex-student at Astor of Hever Community School at Maidstone, said she was horrified at the proposal.

Plans to sell off the school's farmland in exchange for cash to build much-needed facilities have attracted major controversy.

Head teacher Martin Carroll and the governors hope to sell two acres of the six-acre farm site to raise funds to build a new school hall and classrooms, and improve IT facilities. That would mean the end of the schoool farm.

But students who use it, and their parents, are determined to save it.

Miss Hart, of Pitt Road, Barming, who now works on a farm and shows livestock at fairs and events throughout the country, said: "I spent every spare minute I had at the school farm and the lady who ran it at the time used to take us all over Kent, shearing and working with sheep.

"If it had not been for her, I wouldn't be where I am today. The money's not very good, and it's very hard work, but I wouldn't change it for the world."

Miss Hart worked on the school farm between the age of 12 and 16. She stressed: "I think the school farm is a very valuable part of the community. It teaches the children a lot about husbandry of animals.

"I think it teaches them a lot about how to get on with people as well. I met all the people I'm still friends with there.

"I think it teaches children how to 'love thy neighbour' and treat people and animals how you expect to be treated."

After leaving school, Miss Hart went to Hadlow College of Agriculture, completing NVQ and HND qualifications before going to work at Lingfield Lodge Farm in Edenbridge.

She is chairwoman of the Acryse Young Farmers' Club and she also shows cows from New Biddenden Green Farm in Smarden, near Ashford.

Mr Carroll has invited pupils to come up with a compromise plan which could save at least part of the farm. He said: "The governors just haven't decided what to do yet."

He insisted that he had no problem with meeting the parents and young farmers. He said: "The governors have already invited the young farmers to put proposals forward, and have said that they're happy to work with the young farmers. We would be happy to do that."