A Kent MP has spoken out about the "appalling" treatment of farmers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat's tweet came after Winterdale Cheesemakers in Sevenoaks said it was "rough times" for the trade, with the business's milk not collected and instead, having to be poured down the drain.

Winterdale claims it has also not yet received payment for February's milk.

Mr Tugendhat has since written to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), asking for more support for the farming industry.

In reference to the subject, he said: "At this time of national emergency it is more essential than ever to make sure those who produce critical supplies can survive.

"Our dairy supply maintains one of most basic products we all need.

"We need the government to ensure farmers and growers, both here in west Kent and across the country, can supply their products to all who need them."

Winterdale Cheesemakers has been running for 14 years and produces cheese sold in Fortnum & Mason and markets across Kent and the capital.

Owner, Robin Betts, is trying to adapt to the lock down as best he can and has set up a delivery service for the isolated and supplied his cheese to companies who sell delivery boxes of produce to customers, but is still having to succumb to the devastation of watching fresh milk run down a drain and be completely wasted.

Read more: All the latest news from Sevenoaks