Digging large holes and trenches rarely proves as straightforward as it should be, often because of pipes and cables laid in illogical underground positions.

However, two redesigned products are available to farmers to provide information on the whereabouts of such obstacles and thereby save the embarrassment, inconvenience and potential danger of hitting them.

German company SebaKMT has developed a handheld pipe and cable locator called the Easyloc. Information can be displayed both visually and audibly, with a mobile phone-like screen to indicate the level of signal received and estimated closeness of pipes and cables. It costs between £600-£1,000 depending on the model.

Alternatively, there is a free-to-use online service called LinesearchbeforeUdig, provided by two companies (Fisher German and PelicanCorp). It is made up of 29 members whose pipes, cables and wires run above and below ground. The enquiry system provides an instant response for searches, which include electricity, gas, oil and telecom lines.