CHRISTMAS is coming, the goose is getting fat. And so are the ducks, chickens and pheasants. Forget frozen turkey - it might be cheap but, let's face it, you're paying for a lot of water. If you want something different, tastier, this Christmas and New Year there are plenty of options, all from local producers. Proper meat that actually tastes of something.

The easiest way is to order meat from your local butcher, who will be able to supply you with the best of local produce. But if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you can go direct to the producers or specialist farm shops.

Whether it's organic chickens, or locally-reared organic pork, lamb and beef, you can have a real flavour feast. Or try Kelly Bronze turkeys - they've had a nice life, roaming free, sleeping in barns with deep straw. No additives, GM or anything nasty. They are dry plucked and the meat allowed to mature. This is what turkey was meant to taste like.

You can even try a mixture of two or more - like the chicken stuffed with pheasant from the Smith Farm Shop. Definitely different.

BURTREE HOUSE FARM

Burtree Lane, Darlington

Kelly Bronze turkeys from £6.94-£8.80 per kilo. Sizes available from 3kg up to 10+kg.

Also have free range chickens, "that actually taste like chicken" £4.50 per kg, available from the farm shop and also from farmers' markets.

Guinea fowl £5.50 per kg.

They can also order in ham, pork and bacon from Broom Mill. And their farm shop also stocks all sorts of extra goodies and Christmas treats, including puddings and sauces, cheeses and chutneys.

Order: As soon as possible.

LARBERRY PASTURES

FARM SHOP

Long Newton, Stockton (just off the eastbound A66)

(01642) 583823

The shop has wide range of game, organic beef and lamb, as well as pork, turkeys, chickens, and ducks raised to high standards.

Prices of organic beef: Topside £7.10 per kg; silverside £7; rib £6.10; rump £11.

Order: As soon as possible.

MAINSGILL FARM SHOP

East Layton, Richmond

(on the A66, four miles west of Scotch Corner).

(01325) 718860

Ham, beef, lamb and pork all produced on their own farm. Meat allowed to mature.

Topside £6.05 per kg, sirloin £9 per kg.

Also farm shop with lots of local produce.

Order: By about second week of December.

MURTON MOOR FARM

Murton, County Durham

0191-526 3287

Kelly Bronze turkeys are the only livestock that Martin and Judith Dryden produce on their otherwise arable farm, where, for the second half of the year, Judith's main job is to be nursemaid to the chicks until they reach maturity.

"These are proper traditional turkeys. When we give people some of the meat to try they can't believe the taste."

Try for yourself - the Drydens will be at Grey's Monument in Newcastle this weekend, offering samples. "But from then on, we'll be too busy pulling feathers."

Prices range from £6.84 per kg to £8.80 per kg, depending on size. You can also get breast roasts as small as 1kg.

Order: By second week in December.

PIERCEBRIDGE

ORGANIC FARM

Piercebridge

(01325) 374251

All the meat on this farm is organically produced. This includes their own lamb, usually their own beef - or from another local farmer - and they've just produced their own Piercebridge pork.

But their speciality is chickens, organically reared, allowed to mature, dry plucked and with a proper flavour. Birds tend to be big - around 3 to 4kg and cost £5.20 per kg.

Order: As soon as possible.

SMITHY FARM SHOP

Baldersby, Thirsk

Open 9.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Sat. (01765) 640676

Wide variety of turkeys, organic meat and poultry designed to make life easy for you. Chicken stuffed with pheasant: £15.99; geese, ducks, pheasant: £5.99; boned and stuffed duck: £17.99. Also available: boned and stuffed chickens, pheasant and guinea fowl. All you have to do is cook, carve and eat.

White turkeys at £7.70 per kg; bronze £8.45 per kg. Crown and fillets also available, ideal for two or three people.

Also organic pork, lamb and beef.

Order: early December.

SADLY...

One of the best known organic farms in County Durham, Bowlees Farm in Wolsingham, is now closed as David Pike is giving up the business and moving away.

BUYLINES

IF you want to find out more about local specialist food producers - or want to look further afield - a new website will tell you all you need to know, www.regionalfoodanddrink.

co.uk. All our favourite local suppliers are there, and lots more besides.

LOOK dishy on the cheap this Christmas. Matalan have a man's dinner suit for £50, shirt and tie to go with it, £12. They also have sparkly party tops for children £5, with skirts for £8.

EVEN your watch can party. Littlewoods have some stylish sparkly watches from £15. If only Cinderella had had one...

NEWCASTLE-based Penny Plain has some soft leather gloves in brilliant colours, including purple and scarlet, as well as traditional chocolate, navy, black and cranberry, £39.95. Also Merino wool scarves, £19.95 in colours good enough to eat - peppermint and pistachio, as well as peony, pearl and winter crocus. Order on 0870 111 8180, www.pennyplain.co.uk or at their shops in Yarm, Newcastle and Corbridge.

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