Stormy spring weather has sparked worries from Norfolk farmers over delayed potato plantings, and the risk of crop diseases and lower yields.

The recent rainfall has eased longer-term concerns by refilling groundwater supplies after last summer's devastating drought - but it has created an immediate problem for arable growers.

As well as causing flash flooding it has prevented many farmers from sowing potatoes and sugar beet, while emerging young plants have been pelted by heavy rain and hail.

Eastern Daily Press: Tim Papworth, who farms at Felmingham, near North Walsham, is Norfolk county chairman for the National Farmers' Union (NFU)Tim Papworth, who farms at Felmingham, near North Walsham, is Norfolk county chairman for the National Farmers' Union (NFU) (Image: NFU)

Tim Papworth, who farms at Felmingham, near North Walsham, is Norfolk county chairman for the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

The wet weather has left him two weeks behind with his potato planting.

"I have only got 30 acres left to plant - but there are a lot of people with a lot more," he said.

"There is a delayed planting around the county. Having had a drought last year and a reduced yield and then people not wanting to store long-term because of the energy costs, and now a delayed planting season, I think supplies could be a bit tight for a little while."

Mr Papworth said some of his earlier-drilled potatoes are "emerging nicely", but the plants are not developed enough to have been damaged by recent heavy rain and hail.

Nick Hood, who farms 1,600 acres around Woodbastwick, said: "We have not had it this intensely wet in spring for 10 years.

"We are probably about 80pc through planting our sugar beet, and those young plants are very vulnerable. If we get an inch in a short period of time it can do a lot of damage.

"In extreme cases they are getting washed away. There will be replanting going on, but it is also getting very late so there will be a yield penalty."

Mr Hood said while well-established cereal fields have coped well with the rain, the damp weather has raised concerns over fungal crop diseases, and therefore yield losses, if protective sprays cannot be applied at the correct time.