Polytunnels have stopped Scotland's soft fruit industry from being "completely destroyed" by heavy rain, according to farmers. Wet conditions have already ruined other crops like potatoes and peas.

The much-maligned polytunnel - demonised by rural campaigners such as celebrity gardener Monty Don - turned hero this week and saved the UK's strawberry crop from floods that deluged northern England.

But there is growing concern about the vast number of plastic polytunnels in the south of Spain. Almeria's 'Sea of Greenhouses' are even visible from space, and there are regular droughts in the area.

VANDALS have attacked a community project’s Shoebury allotment site. Two plastic polytunnels, similar to plastic greenhouses, have been slashed by thugs at the allotments on Elm Road. They are ...