ALMOST 60,000 completed Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications had been received by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) at the start of the week.

Opening hours at most drop-in centres have been extended this weekend (14/15) and to midnight on Monday (15) the final day.

Farmers who have not yet returned their claim forms should now take them to one of the centres.

Locations and opening times can be found at gov.uk/find-help-to-claim-rural-payments.

An RPA mobile support unit will also be at Darlington Mart on Monday (15) from 8am to 3pm to receive completed claim forms.

Farmers taking their forms direct to a drop-in centre will be offered a basic check-and-receipt service. The check will ensure applicants have included their Single Business Identifier (SBI) number, land data, filled in the active farmer section and signed the declaration. Agents with five or more claims should book an appointment via the Rural Payments helpline.

The RPA this week also set up a phone service that allows farmers that have applied by post to check their claim has been received by the Agency.

It also issued reminder texts, letters and emails to agents and farmers who have still to claim and has also contacted farmers when initial checks claims show further information is required.

Justin Chamberlain, the RPA’s customer director, said: "At this stage, farmers and agents are advised to hand in their claim form at their nearest drop-in centre or mobile support unit.

"If you have already posted your form to us, from this week you can now check if we have received it by using our automated service. Call our helpline on 03000 200 301 and have your SBI ready."

Monday (15) is also the deadline for farmers and land managers who are claiming under existing agri-environment or woodland grant schemes.