SOUTHERNERS from as far afield as Suffolk and Hampshire, are tucking into traditional Geordie fare thanks to a website set up by butcher Patrick Loughlin.

J Loughlin and Sons was established 50 years ago and has two shops in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, and one in Low Fell, Gateshead, specialising in cooked meats and sausages.

Mr Loughlin's use of popular local flavours has resulted in home-sick Geordies stocking up on his produce before returning to work in other parts of the country. Because of this demand it has created a food pack available over the Internet.

His website, www.geordie premierfoods.co.uk, includes four ranges: the Geordie pack, the cooked meat pack, the sausage pack and the Geordie special pack.

Each pack contains traditional Geordie food, including pease pudding, stotties, broth, sausages, and a can of Newcastle Brown Ale.

Thanks to the website the butchers is taking orders from Surrey, Suffolk, Hampshire and has even had one inquiry from the US.

Mr Loughlin said: "Doing business over the Internet is proving to be a highly cost effective way of allowing our product to reach a nationwide audience."

He is now hoping to inspire business in the region to attend an e-business exhibition at Newcastle Telewest Arena next year.

Neon (North-East Online) takes place on February 12 and 13 as part of a £6m programme by UK Online for Business.

For details about the event, log on to the website, www.neon 2003.co.uk.