Tractorgirl Nadine ploughs into BBC cameraman

James Cunliffe

MP Nadine Dorries managed to make her mark to highlight Red Tractor Week - unfortunately it was on a BBC cameraman.

The Mid Beds representative was among a host of MPs and celebrities who gathered in Covent Garden to race mini Massey Ferguson tractors around to promote the red tractor mark used to denote farm assured standards on supermarket foods.

But with Mrs Dorries, Lembit Opik and the Cheeky Girls in attendance, to name but a few, there was bound to be 'an incident'.

And Mrs Dorries was one of those providing the cabaret when, at a crucial moment, the brakes on her tractor failed and she careered through a crash barrier knocking both it and a BBC cameraman flying - the newshound was later said to be 'winded but OK'.

Despite the mishap she went on to take second place and later said: "It wasn't my fault. The brake really didn't work, I swear to God."

On a more serious note she added: "The Red Tractor is the trusted symbol for conscientiously produced food and I am delighted to have attended the launch event of the first ever Red Tractor Week.

"The scheme is managed by an independent not for profit organisation working to maintain and improve food production standards for shoppers."