NORTH Wales farmers will join protests this weekend over the pricing of lamb and milk.

Farmers from across North Wales and England are expected to descend on Lymm, near Warrington, tomorrow in an attempt to make their voices heard.

Joining those on Sunday will be 28-year-old Llandegai sheep and beef tenant farmer Michael Jones, who met representatives of Tesco and Meat Promotion Wales (Hybu Cig Cymru) last week to discuss the importation of lamb from other countries such as  New Zealand, the falling price of the meat and the impact on behalf of North Wales farmers.

Mr Jones said the meeting with Tesco was a positive one, but that he is going to continue working with milk and lamb farmers to ensure a fair deal and is calling for the support of more farmers at tomorrow's gathering.

Mr Jones, who just last week had a son named Bedwyr Arwel Jones with his partner Gwawr, said: "If someone loses their job, they lose their job. if you lose your farm you lose your home, your job - the knock on is unbelievable.

"We need public support - We're on their side. And it's not just the meat side, it's the milk too - we need to work together.

"This has gone global, people are listening and the public are behind us."

Mr Jones said the farmers are expected to meet at the Lymm Truck Stop, near Warrington, at 7.30pm tomorrow (Sunday, August 9) and that he will be meeting Tesco representatives again next week to continue discussions.

A number of lamb protests have taken place over the last week, including farmers outside Tesco stores in Bangor and Llandudno Junction with signs and a large scale meeting on Sunday, August 2, which saw in more than 100 people prevent lorries leaving a Tesco distribution centre in Runcorn.

Elwyn Evans, a 53-year-old farmer based in Bodorgan on Anglesey, went to Runcorn to support the gathering, which he said was civil but apprehensive as people prevented lorries from leaving.

He said: “We’re not afraid of competing with New Zealand but it’s not a level playing field - at least give us a chance. We’re being hit from every corner.”

A meeting of Mid-Gwynedd NFU Cymru county will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday, August 13, at the Caernarfon NFU Cymru office, to discuss the current market prices of lamb.

To find out more about the NFU, visit http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/home.