True Value Of Britain's Beloved Countryside

Research suggests we love the British countryside, but few realise its scale and importance to the economy.

Up to 94% of people believe there is a need to protect the countryside, according to a survey for the Prince's Countryside Fund . A similar number value the countryside for peace and quiet, relaxation and fresh air.

But the figures tell a wholly different story when it comes to its value.

Three quarters of people believe the countryside's value to the economy is less than £1bn, when it is actually worth £80bn a year. UK tourism alone contributes £14bn.

Caroline Spelman , minister for the environment, food and rural affairs, said: "I think if people stop to think about the food they eat, that's produced in this country, then we begin to realise that over £80bn is contributed to the economy.

"It is one of the reasons why the Government wants to see growth in the rural economy.

"We can produce more food and do it at less cost to the environment. There's a hungry world out there."

The study for the Fund, which supports many aspects of rural life, also asked what percentage of the UK's total area is agricultural land.

Some 60% of people thought it was less than half, when it actually makes up 75%.

It also indicated that we vastly underestimate the number of people who work in agriculture in Britain. The true figure is more than 500,000.

Robert Sears, from the Country Land and Business Association, said: "These are all impressive figures and it takes a huge effort to keep working in the right direction.

"There are many issues. Wheat prices have risen and with that probably food prices will go up as well.

"Therefore it is a fine balance as to what the general public want with regard to what we should be doing - putting more land out to the environment, or should we more land down for food production?"

The Fund points out that the UK has 300,000 working farms, 500,000 miles of hedgerows and 180,000 miles of drystone walls.

Prince Charles , who launched his Fund last year, has said: "There is a multitude of remarkable organisations and individuals working tirelessly to keep our farmers farming, to keep our rural communities alive and to reconnect people to the land and to where their food comes from and with plenty of ideas about what more can be done to help."