Sir Don Curry, who headed up the Government's Policy Commission on the Future Of Farming And Food, will open the National Farmers Union and NFU Mutual's prestigious new office in Pickering on Thursday.

Sir Don, who is also chairman of NFU Mutual, will inspect the new office on the Thornton Road Business Park, which will house a Ryedale team welded from staff formerly based in Malton and Kirkbymoorside.

Group secretary Geoff Todd, who has moved from Kirkbymoorside, said: "Our new location means that the local farming community now has access to a modern one-stop shop for all NFU and NFU Mutual services. Coming together means staff are able to specialise more and so offer an even better

service for both NFU members and our insurance clients.

"Economies of scale mean we can also offer better value for money, and our location means more parking too. But perhaps one of the greatest benefits is that with three group secretaries under one roof, we'll be able to deal with inquiries quickly and efficiently."

The three group secretaries are Mr Todd, Rob Hicks and Darren Felgate. Their support team consists of Anne Warriner, Dianne Mellor, Helen Belt and Sarah Revis. Also based at the office is the NFU Mutual local financial consultant, Paul Kettlestring.

To celebrate the official opening, tomorrow will be an open day. All NFU members are invited to pop in from 10.30am to have a look around the new premises.

Mr Hicks said: "Our aim is to provide the best possible service for local farmers, and ensure the NFU remains at the heart of the farming community in Ryedale. We really want to build on the work we have always done in the area, not just organising issue-led meetings, but also annual events.

"The importance of such events was demonstrated only this year when after the devastation of the flash floods in June, our barbeque brought together more than 100 people and raised more than £1,100 for the Great North Air Ambulance and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution."

Updated: 10:17 Wednesday, November 30, 2005