Farmers fear worse to come

While the borough’s main roads have been well gritted and kept clear of during the recent cold snap, the treacherous driving conditions on minor roads has hit the agricultural community hard as they battle against untreated icy surfaces.

And as the borough braces itself for another round of wintry weather, farmers face the prospect of more harsh conditions to come.

William Cross, group secretary of the Ulster Farmers’ Union in Larne, said: “A lot of farmers have been finding it very difficult to get around and the higher up into the hills you go the worse it gets. In many places there hasn’t been a thaw for weeks and the main problem farmers have is getting meal to their livestock.

“Farmers have had to rely on one another for help during these difficult conditions, but they are very resilient and will get through it.”

Mr Cross said that there had been no reports of any casualties among the farming community as a result of the treacherous conditions, but he added that all workers were taking extra care.