A DAIRY farmer who opened a shop to sell his own produce is the new chairman of the North Riding and Durham County NFU.

Mr Brian Hodgson, aged 49, farms in partnership with his wife, Sheila, at Aldin Grange Farm, Bearpark, near Durham City. They opened their farm shop just over a year ago, and saw the industry descend into turmoil as foot-and-mouth disease struck farms in the area.

They had to close the shop for six months because they could not send animals to slaughter, and for fear of people inadvertently bringing the disease on to the farm.

They also looked after another farmer's dairy herd after he was hit by the disease.

While county chairman, Mr Hodgson intends to do all he can to help fight for the survival of British agriculture.

"I want to ensure there is a future for farmers because I have a strong belief that, given the choice, consumers do want to buy quality British food," he said.

The couple own 240 acres of land, and rent a further 147 acres.

They have reduced their arable enterprise to a level where they grow only crops to feed their beef and dairy herd - 55 acres of barley and wheat and 30 acres of lupins. Only vitamins and minerals are bought in for the livestock.

They currently have 70 dairy cows and 120 sucklers although Mr Hodgson's intention is to build suckler cow numbers to 100 to produce beef for the shop and wind down the dairy enterprise over two years.

So far, about 50 cattle have been sold through the shop with more beef going to local catering outlets. He is currently selling between one and two beast each week.

Some of the dairy cows are going to a Northumberland farmer whose herd was culled in the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The shop is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10.30 to 5.30.

A small pig herd and flock of free range hens have been introduced with a view to selling home produced pig meat products and eggs through the shop.

Cattle are sent to an abattoir ten miles away. The carcasses are hung for two weeks before the cuts are returned to the farm shop where they are packed and sold fresh.

Mr Hodgson said they had been gradually building up their client base and had found people were willing to travel to the farm to shop because they were looking for extra quality at reasonable prices.

"We opened the shop to try to improve the price we get from our produce," he said.

"Farmers are getting a woeful return for their produce at the farm gate and they should be doing everything they can to enhance the value of their products.

"Direct selling is not for everyone, but every farmer needs to look at their business to ensure they remain viable."

Mr Hodgson is also diversifying into fishing. He is creating two one-acre lakes which should be ready for opening in spring. One will be for coarse fish and the other stocked with trout.

Mr and Mrs Hodgson, who have a 12 year-old daughter, Chloe, are the only two people employed on the farm and life can be hard - Mr Hodgson works between 6am and 7pm seven days a week.

"Like any farmer who is diversifying we have been trying to run the farm and the new projects with the same labour. It has been hard work," he said.