FARMERS are joining forces with a veterinary practice to trip the light fantastic in aid of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

In their latest charitable venture, staff from Scott Mitchell Associates, based a stone's throw from Hexham Mart, are donning their glad rags for their own version of Strictly Come Dancing.

"We're swapping foot rot for the foxtrot," said practice manager Jayne Longlands.

"We thought, well, people are looking for something different to do after Christmas and it's all in a good cause."

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, or RABI for short, is a welfare charity that helps farming folk during times of financial strife.

Dependent on public donations, it provides both regular and one-off grants to help tide them over exceptional circumstances such as accident, illness, bereavement or animal disease.

It also contributes on occasion to care home costs for the retired or disabled and runs two residential homes of its own.

So the Scott Mitchell staff, who between them run three departments that look after farm animals, horses and small animals, threw down the gauntlet to clients: join us on the dance floor!

Selby and Clare North Lewis, of South Farm, Colwell, Gayle Baty, of North Acomb Farm, Stocksfield, Edward Heslop, of Colwell Demesne, and Andrew and Cath Swallow, of Dukesfield Hall Farm, Hexhamshire, duly took up the challenge.

Each of them will be paired with one of the veterinarian staff for the competition, which will be played out at a dinner dance due to take place in Tynedale Function Suite at the Mart on Friday, February 10.

However, the work will actually begin next week, when the doughty dozen start dance classes at Newcastle's VRM School of Dance.

They aim to dazzle on the night itself, when they will compete for the Scott Mitchell Associates Glitter Ball trophy.

A panel of local judges, including Geoff Hubbuck of JS Hubbuck Ltd, will decide whether they have earned nine or 'nul' points.

Tickets for the night are divided into two categories and prices - dinner and dance or dance only - and are available from the farm department at Scott Mitchell on (01434) 608999.