Wurzels comeback for farm crisis

The Wurzels at the height of their fame in the 70s

Seventies pop stars The Wurzels are re-releasing their biggest hit to help farmers stricken by foot-and-mouth disease.

They have agreed to donate 50p from each sale of 'Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)' to a fighting fund for the crisis.

The move comes as the band celebrates the 25th anniversary of the hit topping the charts.

Tommy Banner, an original Wurzel who is still with the group, said: "A lot of our friends are farmers and we were extremely pleased to be able to help.

Disease 'affects communities'

"Foot and mouth does not just affect farms, it affects the whole community.

"Our own gigs have had to be cancelled or put into smaller venues because of the crisis and it has hit our area very hard."

How things were in 1976

Pint of cider 32p

Sliced loaf 19p

Pint of milk 9p

Bjorn Borg clinched the first of his five Wimbledon titles

Britain sweltered in one of the hottest summers on record

The Wurzels were one of the biggest-selling acts of the mid-70s and made it to number one with 'Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)' in 1976.

Other hits included 'I am a Cider Drinker' and 'Farmer Bill's Cowman'.

However, Mr Banner, who is now in his sixties, insists the Somerset-based band has never gone away.

'Popular with students'

He said: "We have been busy doing concerts all over the country.

"We are popular among younger people now and many of out biggest fans are students.

"Youngsters from the West Country seem to go away to college and take our music with them and play it to their friends."

We are very grateful for the support of The Wurzels

NFU President Ben Gill

A spokeswoman for The Wurzels' record label EMI said: "The band were very keen to give something back to the farmers.

"There is always a lot of farmers at their gigs."

Cash raised from sales of the single will go into the National Farmers' Union 'Supporting Farmers in Crisis' fund.

'Desperate need'

NFU president Ben Gill said: "We are very grateful for the support of The Wurzels.

"Many farmers and others in rural areas have not earned any direct income for months now due to the impact of foot-and-mouth disease.

"This fund will proved them with the help they so desperately need to re-build their businesses and, in many cases, just to keep going."

The single, which has been re-mixed to give it a new electronic dance beat, is due for release at the end of July.

The band hopes to take a combine harvester into central London for a concert at the Fitz and Firkin pub in Great Portland Street today.