AFTER the devastating floods of winter 2015/16, NFU Scotland and SEPA have been working to try to find ways to help farmers reduce flooding and erosion of their land.

They have now invited union members to a series of regional meetings designed to help farmers and landowners understand what they can and can’t do to manage their drains, ditches, burns and rivers and protect their land.

These meetings will be held on:

• Wednesday May 10, at the Lochter Activity Centre, Oldmeldrum;

• Monday May 29 at the Huntingtower Hotel, Perth;

• Thursday June 1 at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.

Further meetings in other parts of Scotland will happen later in the year.

Organisers promise that "knowledgeable and approachable" SEPA staff will be on hand to explain the current rules, including explaining the activities land managers do not need a permit for. They will also explain forthcoming changes that should significantly reduce the cost and paperwork involved in protecting valuable farmland from erosion by rivers and burns.

All meetings start at 19:30, with tea and coffee beforehand.