Yorkshire-based J F Hudson is now distributing the Italian-made Spapperi self-propelled inter-plant weeder.

Available in one- to four-row variants, each head is fitted with three vertical knives that move laterally between the seedlings or growing plants. The inter-plant weeder is designed to work with plants up to 70cm high and can span rows from 30cm or more.

A basic single-row model with manual controls costs £5,800.