ARABLE farmers Richard and Ronda Morritt began growing asparagus as a hobby eight years ago.

Its early and short growing season fitted in with the rest of the farm and provided some extra income.

"We used to cut it ourselves and wash it in the kitchen," said Mr Morritt, of Low Moor Farm, Sand Hutton, near York.

"We cut it on a chopping board and tied up 60 or 70 bundles a day, which we thought was good."

Today, a team of Polish and Russian students live on the farm for 14 weeks, cutting up to 14 tonnes of asparagus spears over a six-week period, then pick the farm's strawberries and raspberries.

They receive the minimum wage, with overtime, and earn several thousands of pounds - a portion is given to their parents, while the rest goes on their university education.

Back home, the average wage can be as little as 30p an hour, so for them the minimum wage is a fortune.

The asparagus grows well on the farm's light, sandy soils. The first spears emerge at the end of April and the harvest ends on June 21.

There are 10,000 plants to the acre with each producing 70 to 80 spears during a season.

Harvest stops on June 21 to allow the plants to grow to produce the energy for next year's crop.