A farmer in Darlington has been unable to sow crops because of unusually hot and dry weather, according to a report from the BBC.

The conditions have left fields too hard and parched for planting, forcing the grower to pause work until rain returns. The BBC report highlights how the prolonged dry spell is disrupting the farming calendar in the region.

Dry soil can prevent seeds from germinating properly, and sowing into such conditions risks poor establishment and wasted seed. Farmers in affected areas now face difficult decisions about whether to wait for moisture or plant anyway and accept the risks.

The situation in Darlington reflects wider concern about weather extremes affecting UK agriculture, with growers increasingly having to adapt planting schedules to unpredictable conditions.