one of the biggest commercial herb gardens in the North is thriving in North Yorkshire.

Sandhutton Growers is the brainchild of Alison Dodd, a Cordon Bleu chef and catering specialist who tackled the frustration of not being able to find the fresh herbs she wanted by growing her own.

The business is a partnership between Ms Dodd, plant specialist John Wilkinson and farmer Trevor Bosomworth, who wanted to diversify following the devastating foot and mouth outbreak in 2001.

It is based on four acres of farmland at Sandhutton, near Thirsk. The company uses glasshouses, polytunnels and fields to grow herbs all year round. Herbs and salad crops are cut and packaged then supplied to wholesalers, food companies, hotels and restaurants all over the UK