A young female farmer thinks that perceptions of the agricultural industry have to change, as she faced discrimination and sexism when she declared that she wanted to pursue a career in the industry.

Chloe Arscott, 16, grew up on her parents farm in Umberleigh, near Barnstaple, Devon, and has always helped out on the farm.

She decided years ago to pursue a career in the industry, and was shocked when her teachers tried to discourage her from doing a BTEC, saying it would have been a waste of her expected good grades.

Chloe has now spoken out against what she says are sexist opinions against the industry saying that people still think farming is just for men, and that intelligent women have no place in agriculture.

She said: "The industry needs women, I'm going to do a BTEC in agriculture next year and my school have shown me no support at all.

"They think I should be doing A levels, and that farming is a waste.

"The teachers would tell me that thought that I should be doing some thing better with myself.

"You have to do something you are passionate about, and my interest is agriculture.

"There are so many people that think farmers are dumb, but they don't realise how much work and intelligence goes into it.

"People always think men are farmers because that's how it has always been.

"I think females need more support going into the industry, I think the more women that go into it the more people will realise that women are just as capable of doing it as a man is.

"I have female friends who work in the industry and they are respected, it's just people on the outside who don't realise that women can do it just as well as men.

"It's the outside opinions that need to change."