By JULIA RAVENSCROFT

THE IMAGE of farmers as straw-chewing country bumpkins is about to change with the help of a George Clooney lookalike from Lower Whitley.

Thirty-two year old David Johnson, of Greenhills Farm, Greenhills Lane, is set to become part of a new push by the National Farmers' Union to re-vamp and modernise the image of farmers while promoting British produce.

David, who runs the 168-acre farm, said: "The pig-headed image of farmers is not very good and not true."

The campaign, which is designed to conquer the crisis in farming, will promote British produce in supermarkets with the help of young, 'beefcake' farmers across the country, under the 'Red Tractor' logo.

David said: "The reality is if people don't buy British food we won't be around to look after animals as well as we do and plant trees and hedges. The public don't realise we're trying to bridge that gap."

Farmers entering the competition are required to have good bodies and model looks, with conditions of entry including a full-length photograph and vital statistics.

David, who keeps 80 cattle and grows wheat, barley and potatoes, is six foot tall and has a 42-inch chest.

He said: "Absolutely everyone says that I look like George Clooney - in his younger days, of course!

"A friend put me forward for the campaign. I hope I'm up against other Cheshire farmers. I want some competition," he said.