Farmers across Lincolnshire and Rutland are being warned of a scam taking place in which farmers are being approached about repair work, with a 'nasty' twist.

A Lincolnshire farmer has taken to social media to share his concerns and to warn other local farmers of the scam, which has led to other farmers in the east midlands being targeted with intimidation and sometimes even attacks.

Andrew Ward, who runs A McDonalds Flagship farm and is a Farmers Weekly Farming Champion, said in the video: ""I've heard this week in particular areas like Spalding, Rutland, Peterborough, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, where you'll get a phone call from somebody or a visit at the farm gate or your house.

"They'll say they've got some road repair material left over and they'll do a job on your yard or your drive or your farm road or in front of your house, and they'll quote a price.

"When the job's done they'll ask for a lot more money than they've quoted. If you challenge them they'll say the price I quoted was a square foot, this now is per square metre price. And when you challenge them they get very nasty."

"There's one farmer who was beaten up badly and seriously injured. There's another farmer who, these people got hold of his wife and daughter's phone number and were threatening them down the phone line.

"There's horrendous intimidation going on. If anyone comes to your farm, to your house or you get a phone call, please don't let them on in the first place.

"It's really escalating at the moment in eastern England and it's escalating fast."

Mr Ward's post was supported by the Lincolnshire Rural Policing team, who shared on their Twitter account, adding: "Please be aware and remain vigilant."

Watch the video on Twitter:

Please be ware and remain vigilant. https://t.co/enQHh13UQ0

— Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) (@LincsRuralCrime) March 2, 2023

Alternatively, follow Andrew Ward on @wheat_daddy