Brian Barnett found himself in front of magistrates last week.

The Brize Norton farmer was given a conditional discharge for using an unlicensed overseas labour agency to take on two Filipino workers.

There was never any question Mr Barnett had mistreated the workers and, he had, in fact, gone out of his way to make them comfortable.

However, what was interesting was his battle to get qualified UK workers to look after his dairy herd.

In the current job climate, with rising unemployment, it is surprising Mr Barnett could not find anyone willing to train up and plug the gap.