Hundreds of farmers will open their gates this weekend as part of an event designed to showcase the world of farming to the wider public.

Open Farm Sunday is organised by Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), a charity that promotes more sustainable farming to create a resilient food system for future generations.

As its 19th year approaches, those in the industry say they feel there is a "disconnect between people and food".

Annabel Shackleton, LEAF's Open Farm Sunday manager, said the event was all about "breaking down barriers, challenging outdated perceptions, and showing everyone just how innovative, diverse and forward-looking farming really is".

David Jones, project manager at The Woodlands Farm Trust in Welling, said the open day shows "how farming plays a part in sustainable living".

He said: "There was some recent research about how disconnected young people were with agriculture so I think it's important that they have the opportunity to come out and see for themselves what happens on a day-to-day basis on the farm."

This research, based on a survey of 2,019 respondents, found that just one in five people believe farming is essential to tackling climate change.

There were also some interesting findings among the Gen Z demographic surveyed.

While 90% of those adults agree that farming is relevant to their lives, 37% of this group believe you have to be born into a farming family to work in the industry – a belief that is considered outdated.

Charlie works at Chandler and Dunn farm in Canterbury in Kent, which has been run by his family for over 200 years.

He said: "I have a real enjoyment when the public come on to the farm and connect with nature and embrace the countryside."

He added it was a "real privilege to share farm with local community".

Charlie hopes the open day will inspire the next generation of farmers.

He added: "We have a family farm here and are keen to have youngsters who want to learn.

"It's a free day with tractor and trailer rides.

"Any food and drink and profits raised will go to the local charity Scope."

Funding for a carbon capture project in Aberdeenshire is expected to be announced in the UK government's spending review, BBC Scotland News understands.

The Acorn Project based in St Fergus would take greenhouse gas emissions and store them under the North Sea, in a process known as carbon capture and storage (CCS).

There have been growing calls from business leaders for investment in the project which has been on a reserve list for funding.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce the budgets for all government departments over the next few years on Wednesday, which will include information on what new projects will receive investment.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, ministers were asked a number of times about funding for the project.

Energy Minister Sarah Jones told MPs they didn't have long to wait to see what the spending review had to say about the project.

She said: "We have always been clear that we support the Acorn Project" adding "we know what an important proposal it is.

"The decision is a matter for a spending review but we are very close to having those decisions".

The Scottish government's Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said the UK government was giving in to SNP pressure.

She said: "This cannot be yet more spin from the Labour government – the north east of Scotland needs to see clear, meaningful progress on Acorn set out by the Chancellor in the spending review."

How will Acorn affect climate change targets?

In March, business leaders including oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood and organisations such as the Scottish Chambers of Commerce signed a letter urging the chancellor to back the project.

The letter argued that the project had faced two decades of setbacks, and that it is needed to help Scottish industry decarbonise.

The project missed out on support in 2021, when funding instead went to two areas in the north of England, and Acorn was placed on a reserve list for future backing.

The UK government said Acorn had already received more than £40m for its development.

If it is given the go-ahead, waste CO2 will be piped from central Scotland to St Fergus using redundant pipelines which previously carried natural gas south.

Experts say the technology is vital for Scotland to meet its climate targets.

Sites which are signed up include the refineries at Mossmoran and Grangemouth as well as a new power station at Peterhead.

Climate campaigners have criticised the scheme, calling it a "greenwashing scam".

Alex Lee, from Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "It would be a disgrace if the chancellor handed over more public money to prop up a fossil fuel industry that is ripping us off.

"The Acorn Project is a fossil fuel polluters pipe dream and will never live up to the hype."

Meanwhile, in a separate funding announcement, the UK government announced an extra £250m to help sustain the UK's fleet of nuclear-powered submarines at HMB Naval Base Clyde.

The money, which will be invested over the next three years, will be spent improving the working environment at the base ahead of the delivery of new Dreadnought Class deterrent submarines.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the investment was a "fantastic example of how Scotland is at the heart of UK defence policy".

An Afghan refugee says she hopes to give a voice to women in her home country still living under the Taliban regime.

Masuma Anwari's work once lined the walls of Afghanistan's national gallery in Kabul but when the Taliban regained power in 2021, she was forced to leave everything and flee to the UK.

With her husband and seven-year-old son, she was given the chance to start again after settling in the West Midlands three years ago.

"I may have lost my home but I have not lost my identity," said Ms Anwari.

"Sometimes I imagine if I were still in Afghanistan and unable to draw or paint, my heart would be silent."

Her new portfolio of work has been displayed at a gallery and work space in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Mrs Anwari has fond memories of growing up in Kabul where she worked as a schools ambassador for the British consulate.

But when the Taliban regained power four years ago "everything changed overnight".

"I still remember the gunfire sounds and explosions," she added.

"My son and I are still sensitive to loud sounds because a strong explosion was not far from us."

Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has steadily imposed laws and regulations that reflect its austere vision of Islamic law.

Girls over the age of 12 have been barred from getting an education and many women from jobs.

The Taliban has repeatedly said girls will be allowed to return to school once its concerns, such as aligning the curriculum with Islamic values, are resolved – but so far no concrete steps have been taken to make that happen.

"Life for women has completely changed," said Ms Anwari.

"But they still keep their hope alive for a better future. I wish one day they will experience freedom and security.

"My painting is not just a hobby. They can't express themselves due to the restrictions but I want to reflect the Afghan women's silent voice with my painting."

Seven of Ms Anwari's pieces are now on show at Courtyard Fine Art Lounge in Lichfield.

She was also commissioned to create a piece for the city's Shire House, a shared working space which opened earlier this year.