AN AGRICULTURAL chief has added his voice to those of parents and students fighting to prevent a Maidstone school's farm from being closed.

William McKeever, chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society, has asked Martin Carroll, head teacher of Maidstone's Astor of Hever Community School, to reconsider plans to sell off farm land to raise funds.

In a letter also sent to the chairwoman of the Governors, Paula Tucker, Mr McKeever asks Mr Carroll if a way can be found to get the funding without losing the land and farm buildings.

Mr McKeever wrote: "The society considers the farm, and the Young Farmers' Club associated with it, a most valuable asset; which if lost will be impossible to replace."

He said the industry was becoming increasingly short of technicians, with the supply of young people willing to enter it being "very limited".

He said: "Those who have a grounding through school farms go on to enter the industry."

Speaking to the Kent Messenger, Mr McKeever said Astor of Hever students did their school proud when they exhibited at the Kent County Show, Detling, which the society organises each year.

He said: "The Young Farmers' section is one of the strongest sections within our show.

"It would be one less school to be taking part in that."

He warned Kent's agricultural colleges, including those at Hadlow and Wye, could be hit. "The colleges are finding it difficult to fill some of their practical places," said Mr McKeever.

"It's important to get some of those youngsters started at a younger age to get a taste for the rural economy."

Mr McKeever, who farms in Faversham, said he had been involved in a previous, successful campaign to stop the closure of Angley School Farm, Cranbrook, although others had gone in recent years.

He said: "Once the land is gone and you have lost the young farmers' club it will be impossible to resurrect it again."

Mr Carroll said he had not seen the letter until the Kent Messenger brought it to his attention, although he had received a letter from another member of the Kent County Agricultural Society.

He said: "Now that I have received the letter, I will reply to Mr McKeever."