INTURF, of Wilberfoss, has been chosen by Homebase to supply 20 of its leading DIY outlets, one of them in Harrogate.

The contract follows a successful trial sale of the firm's turf in six Homebase stores, all in the south of England.

Andy Church, Inturf's sales director, said: "The trial over two weekends at Easter was designed to test both demand for turf at Homebase outlets and our ability to lift and deliver turf in peak condition against exceptionally tight deadlines."

Inturf cultivates more than 1,300 acres at two farms, one near Wilberfoss and the other near Grantham, Lincolnshire.

He said: "Fortunately, we have invested heavily in the last couple of years in the harvesting and logistics side of our business.

"That includes two new harvesters from the US, new mowing equipment and two new articulated lorries for transporting our turf and topsoil.

"It meant that we have met all Homebase's required criteria hence the rollout to 20 stores with the possibility of more in the autumn."

The Homebase contract is the latest in a series of successes for Inturf across the range of its operations in the garden, amenity, and sports turf sectors which have led to a 15 per cent year on year increase in sales with a huge spurt this year.