Farmers affected by flooding have criticised environmental bodies for “neglecting their duties” to protect people and businesses downstream of the rivers Severn and Vyrnwy.

Flood-affected farmers are counting the cost following three weekends of heavy rain in mid Wales which has seen record river levels.

Montgomeryshire farmer Maurice Jones said up to 250 acres of his farmland near Leighton is submerged in three to four foot in water.

“It’s costing us a fortune,” Mr Jones said. “Flooding has washed good crops away. They’re ruined.

“It has all been mismanaged.

“If they concentrated on maintaining rivers then we wouldn’t have these problems. It’s normal people who are suffering”.

Edward Chapman, a sheep and beef farmer near Llanidloes, said it was the largest flood he has seen on his land in almost a decade.

He said current plans by Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency and Hafren Dyfrdwy to regulate the water along the River Severn are not working properly.

“They keep telling us it’s exceptional circumstances and climate change, but they need to get their act together now,” he said. “It’s not fair on people living in Montgomeryshire and Shropshire.”

A crisis fund by farming charity R.A.B.I. has been made available to provide emergency grants to farming families.

Chief executive Alicia Chivers said: “We know how devastating the impacts are for farmers in both the immediate and longer-term. These funds, whilst a relatively small element of the help we expect to provide over the longer-term, can make a real difference dealing with urgent priorities – and help to alleviate pressing financial worries.”