Two trusted family businesses have united in Alton behind a shared commitment to back the farming and rural communities.

Farm and Country Supplies in Selborne Road joined forces with leading timber and agricultural supplier StowAg and celebrated with an open day last month.

The shop is now branded as a StowAg store. The same staff are there, supported by StowAg’s experts, but are now offering an even wider range of products and services to farmers, fencing contractors, and equine and rural customers.

StowAg has been serving the agricultural and contractor community in the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire and surrounding areas for more than 50 years and has now brought its expertise to the south-east.

StowAg director Eddie Wheatcroft said: “Both our businesses are family-run and have deep roots in the agricultural and rural communities. By coming together we’ll be able to do even more to back British farming and support the countryside.

“Farm and Country Supplies has been at the heart of the Hampshire rural community for years and this deal will only strengthen that position, enabling Ryan and his team to do even more to support their customers.”

Farm and Country Supplies founder Ryan James added: “StowAg is a respected and trusted name in the agricultural world.

“Our farming and rural communities are facing some of the most turbulent times in living memory, and by joining forces with StowAg it means we will be better placed to help provide the product, services and expertise our customers need to navigate what lies ahead.”

The new Alton StowAg store features all its existing farming, equine and rural product range plus 15,000 new agricultural products from StowAg’s catalogue, including fencing supplies, tools, livestock equipment and clothing.

A larger team of animal health experts is on hand to offer free advice and farm visits.