Farmer Has Most Unusual Crop

Farmer John Manners hasn't got a brand-new combine harvester...but he's got THREE HUNDRED old ones!

John,56,who farms 300 acres,is literally harvesting combine harvesters!

The enterprising landowner breaks them down and then sells their parts to other farmers.

The harvesters now rake in a healthy profit at a time when most farmers are struggling to survive.

John has owned his farm since 1968.

While his wife runs a clothes shop in the town,John and his two sons look after 300 acres of wheat fields.

But now the business also includes a staggering SEVEN ACRES of combine harvesters.

At an average weight of four tonnes,that means a total of 1,200 tonnes of metal laid out across the countryside.

John said "I've now got more combine harvesters than anyone else in Britain.It all started about 20 years ago when I needed some tyres.

"They were very pricey and I realised that it would be cheaper buying an old,second-hand combine harvester.

"Once I got more than about 50,it became more of a business than the farming."

John buys the harvesters from all over Britain and has become well known to other farmers from across the country who call him if they need spares.

Now employing around seven workers and with his own website,John added "If it wasn't for the combine harvesters,I couldn't afford to employ anyone.

"Farming has become terrible in recent years.In the past year alone,grain prices have fallen by 50 per cent."

John pays between a few hundred and a few thousand pounds for them.

With a new combine harvester costing up to £150,000,and farmers under pressure to cut costs,his business is proving popular.

At this time of year,he receives around 30 enquiries a day.He said "We are working flat out seven days a week.

"We start at 6.15 in the morning and we work until everything's finished,usually about nine o'clock at night.

"The other day,we had a call from a farmer in Brighton who needed a part for his machine.He drove up that night,arrived at 11pm,got the part and was back cutting by 10 o'clock the next morning."

Despite his huge collection,John denies having any sentimental ties to the machines.

He said "I don't have any affection for them.They're just big,dirty,filthy things."