A GROUP of farmers has launched a brand of extra virgin oil made from rapeseed.

The famers say Oleifera, a cold-pressed culinary oil, is healthier than Mediterranean olive oil.

They say it is 100 per cent natural, with half the saturated fat of olive oil and ten times more omega 3 oils.

Borderfields Limited, a small group of farmers near Bamburgh, Northumberland, tested 14 varieties of rapeseed before finding one they were satisfied with.

Director Colin McGregor said: "After many tasting sessions, we have chosen an oil with a magnificent golden colour and nutty flavour."

Mr McGregor said the oil was developed to add value to a product they were already growing and that each of the farmers in Borderfields was involved in the production of Oleifera. He said: "This obviously helps us by giving us a better return on a product we all grow.

"It also helps the discerning and health conscious consumers, who are increasingly looking for quality, traceability and sustainability."

Richard Simm, head chef of The Alnwick Garden, said: "It is a great base oil for dressings and mayonnaise as the flavour is not too overpowering - I also use it as a substitute for specialist nut oils."

Oil production and bottling is done in batches after the summer harvest, in a press house set up in converted farm buildings near Bamburgh.