FARMERS are being encouraged to form marketing co-operatives to supply their local Somerfield stores with meat and produce. With the help of the National Farmers' Union, Somerfield with have a road show travelling through the country to allow farmers to talk directly to the stores' buyers.

"The NFU has been urging farmers for some time to work together to form co-operatives to give them more strength in the marketplace and this scheme will help them achieve just that," said NFU president Ben Gill. "Talking directly to buyers will help farmers understand how they can work with the supermarkets to their mutual benefit and create new opportunities."

To find out more about the scheme, farmers can telephone (0500) 691913.