FRENCH farmers forgot about their country's ban on British beef to swap ideas with their East Lancashire counterparts.

A group of 40 farmers from Limousin were invited to the area by the Bowland Transitional Group of Farmers.

The Gallic visitors were showed how traditional livestock enterprises in East Lancashire and the UK can successfully use both environmental and conservation schemes.

The farmers visited farms and estates in Slaidburn and Clitheroe and Thomas Binns' 1,200-acre sheep and beef farm in Pendle Road, Downham.

Mr Binns said: "We did not want to make the beef ban an issue. That is really a political issue. Our group wants to share information and improve communication."

The French farmers also visited Gisburn Auction Mart and were due to visit Ribble Valley Council chamber today.

The Bowland Group, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, is one of the country's leading examples of farmers helping themselves.

The visit came in the same week that East Lancashire public was given a vote of thanks for supporting Britain's farmers.

The National Farmers' Union is lobbying France to lift its ban and is taking action in the courts.

Picture: Thomas Binns shows French farmers around his land in Downham. From left, Brigitte and Robert Frugier, Picune Bachellerif, and Dave Oyston, LCC Countryside Officer