Young farmers are aiming to break into the Top 40 with a charity single featuring comedian Alexander Armstrong and singer Chesney Hawkes.

Saffron Walden Reporter: At the famous crossing.At the famous crossing. (Image: Archant)

The group is hoping the initiative will raise awareness about rural isolation and mental health issues affecting young people.

Put that Hoedown is an upbeat track recorded at the Abbey Road Studios, in London, made famous by The Beatles.

The song involved 50 young ­farmers from the Essex Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (FYFC), which includes members from Saffron Walden. The video includes celebrity guest appearances and a New Holland T7.210 tractor specially wrapped in Union Flag livery.

Essex Young Farmers set themselves the challenge to write, record and release an original song, with the hope of getting it into the UK Top 40 for this weekend’s National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs’ Annual Convention in Blackpool.

More than 5,000 young farmers will be at the resort for a weekend of competitions and entertainment.

The song, written and produced with the help of Audio Network, celebrates young farmers. The lyrics refer to the recent floods that affected farming communities across the UK, which young farmers supported by raising more than £40,000 to support communities devastated by the Somerset floods.

Money from the single, released on Monday, will be donated to two charities, YoungMinds and The Farming Community Network.

Sam Iddison, chairman of Essex FYFC, said: “Music, in particular, is a proven mental boost. It can help to create a positive mindset so it feels like the perfect way to raise awareness and money for those charities.

“We’ve had so much support for our single and we are really hoping we can break into the Top 40 with it in time for the young farmers’ Annual Convention.

“It will be a great way to celebrate, surrounded by 5,000 young farmers.”

The Essex Young Farmers Country Show is on May 18 at Boyton Hall, Roxwell (CM1 4LN). Tickets for the family fun day are £12 for adults, £5 children, £8 concessions and £29 for a family.