Generous farmers dug deep when they helped to raise cash for a local charity.

Thanks to the efforts of Frontier Agriculture on Sandy Lane in Diss a cheque for £2,086 has been handed over to St Nicholas Hospice Care.

The funds were raised through a moisture meter clinic when Frontier invited local farmers to have their moisture meters checked for free in return for a donation to the hospice.

Emma Henson, a farm trader at Frontier said: 'We were really busy on both days and it was great to see so many of our customers coming along to help us support the hospice, there was a real buzz in the atmosphere.

'It was a great opportunity for us to be able to see our customers and we are so pleased that at the same time we were able to raise funds too.'

Moisture meters let farmers know when their grain is ready to be harvested by checking moisture levels - during Frontier's two day fundraising drive 188 farmers bought their meters in to be checked.

This is the second time the business has chosen to support the charity, which cares for those across west Suffolk and south Norfolk experiencing long-term and life-threatening conditions, with their moisture meter clinics raising £1,870 last year.

Miranda McCoy, St Nicholas Hospice Care community fundraiser, said: 'I couldn't believe it when Frontier told me how much they had raised. Last year the amount they raised was fantastic and to have raised even more this year really is wonderful. Thank you all so much.

'As a charity we rely so heavily on the support from our local community and businesses, the money Frontier have donated really will make a big difference to us.'

St Nicholas Hospice Care provides care and support for people at the end of their lives.

The charity also provides bereavement support for children and young people through its Nicky's Way programme which can be accessed by any child in West Suffolk or Thetford.

To find out more about the hospice and the services it provides visit www.stnicholashospicecare.org.uk