The Prince of Wales is to make a private protest to the RSPCA after its "disappointing" donation of £2,000 to a hardship fund for farmers hit by foot and mouth.

The prince gave £500,000 to the fund two months ago and is said to be "surprised and disappointed" at the size of the RSPCA's gift. The organisation's annual income is £64 million and it has liquid assets of over £100 million. The RSPCA has dismissed the row saying "it is not a question of money. We set up a national brokerage scheme to appeal for practical help which we than coordinated. We gave hired marquees as temporary lambing stations and bought food directly. We are spending a lot of money."