More than 90pc of farmers under the age of 40 now rank poor mental health as the biggest "hidden problem" facing their industry, according to a new survey.

The deteriorating mental wellbeing of farmers was revealed in a study by the Farm Safety Foundation, published during its annual "Mind Your Head" awareness campaign.

It highlights a growing raft of challenges including policy uncertainties, the post-Brexit phase-out of EU subsidies, environmental pressures, climate change and the rocketing costs of fuel, fertiliser and animal feed.

And those factors are having a particular impact on younger farmers, with 94pc of the under-40s surveyed agreeing that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry today - up from 84pc three years ago.

One farmer in that age group is 28-year-old Matt Styles, who runs a sheep flock at Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire.

After his own mental health took a downturn during the isolation of the Covid lockdown he sought help from farming charities and spoke with a therapist.

"It is no good bottling it up," he said. "I think the reason we are unwilling to talk is the fear of the unknown.

"I found that opening up and sharing my experiences on social media was the moment when everyone goes: 'Oh wow, well done for sharing it, I have been feeling a bit rough too, and you are not alone'.

"It is important to not feel ashamed to say you're not coping very well. It is not a weakness, it is a strength to be able to express that."

Farm Safety Foundation manager Stephanie Berkeley said "urgent action" is needed to support the mental health of farmers, and to take pressure off rural charities and support groups which have seen helpline calls increase or become more complex in the last three years.

For more information and advice see www.yellowwellies.org.