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Cherry farm netting helps to stop bombs in Ukraine

Pippa Rifka
BBC News, Somerset
Sue Tyler-Moore A cherry orchard covered in black netting, which is being dismantled by two men. One in a ride on tractor and the other with his arms up taking the netting down manually. There is also a black and white dog in the centre of the photo.Sue Tyler-Moore
The netting that used to protect the crops is now protecting buildings from bombs

Netting from a cherry farm in Somerset is helping to intercept bombs in war torn Ukraine.

Whitehouse Farm Cherries in Chard closed down earlier this year and decided to put the materials to good use after seeing an appeal by Somerset Aid for Ukraine.

The charity was asking for netting and other items which could help protect buildings from being targeted by Russian drones.

"A lot of them [drone bombs] can get caught in this netting unexploded, which is the whole idea, it's humanitarian and saves lives," Sue Tyler-Moore, from the charity, told BBC Radio Somerset.

Sue Tyler-Moore A telehandler is photographed loading up some of the coils of wire donated from Whitehouse Farm Cherries. Sue Tyler-Moore
The wire is covered in camouflage over buildings and helps catch unexploded drone bombs

Ms Tyler-Moore said it was back at Christmas time that she had seen a photograph of how wire and netting was being used in this way and decided to set up an appeal on the charity's Facebook page.

She said: "Low and behold Whitehouse Farm Cherries said they had some they'd like to donate.

"Didn't know how much so I sent someone out to have a look for me, thinking they would get it in a small van.

"But he messaged me back and said, 'Sue, we're going to need a bigger lorry'."

Somerset Aid for Ukraine sends loads out to the country every two months.

Sue Tyler-Moore A very long white lorry pulled up alongside a yellow telehandler in a field. The rear doors of the lorry are open.Sue Tyler-Moore
A lorry was needed to load all of the donated wire from the farm which is now heading for Ukraine

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