FARMERS called in to Bridport's Somerfield supermarket in a bid to forge closer links with buyers of farm produce.

West Dorset NFU secretary Paul Bennett said it was "excellent" to hear how Somerfield wanted to increase its range of local suppliers.

Mr Bennett said: "We are keen to increase our contact with our customers and find out more about them including their needs from us.

"I believe it helped producers to understand more of the problems and issues the retailers have."

But he added: "We still didn't get a satisfactory explanation of why farmers' prices are so much lower then the retail price."

"In particular milk prices in the supermarket are over two times the farm gate price. We hope we can continue this dialogue."

Peter Williams, the Bristol-based press officer for Somerfield, accompanied assistant store manager Brian Tizzard and told farmers and growers how the stores wished to secure more locally-produced produce.

For example, Somerfield had in the last 18 months increased its promotion of West Country beef.

He said this was a commercially correct decision with in-store sales of beef up six per cent. Farmers were pleased to hear in rural towns like Bridport there was considerable support for local farming and a strong desire to support British produce.

Present at the meeting were several farmers who supplied their produce direct to retailers.

Mr Williams explained this was difficult for the store because it could not have a large number of small deliveries to it. Most goods going into the supermarket needed to be via its regional distribution depot.

Branch chairman Edward Rowe of Broadwindsor said: "It was a good positive meeting and we hope further contact will come from it."