THE national president of the Country and Landowners Asso-ciation (CLA) is in Dorset this week on a tour of the south west.

Harry Cotterell’s factfinding tour of the region is to hear about challenges and opportunities facing farming and rural businesses.

He is due at an evening drinks reception at the Keep Military Museum in Dorchester tonight.

He hopes to hear how rural businesses are linking with the Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Local Economic Part- nership.

CLA south west director John Mortimer said: “It is a hectic programme which will take us to all six counties and from one end of the region to the other.

“But the president feels it is important to stay in touch with the grass roots of our organisation and to hear from members at first hand the issues that are affecting their businesses on a day-to-day basis.”