DALES farmers have signed up to a scheme that allows them to sell produce directly to their local community.

Farmer's wife Ann Emerson has been appointed by a range of agencies to link food producers in Weardale with an independent chain of Co-op stores looking for goods grown within the area.

She sent letters to farmers informing them of the scheme, and about 40 farmers have said they are interested.

The project was launched on Saturday, when children who had been set the task of designing promotion posters, were presented with prizes by TV personality Dr David Bellamy.

Robert Macpherson won the four-to-seven years category, and Joseph Kirwin won the eight-to-11 years category.

Mrs Emerson, from Frosterley, said: "The names of producers wanting to sign up to the scheme have been forwarded to local butchers who deal with Stanhope and Weardale Co-operatives.

"I'm hoping at a later stage this initiative could be spread to other shops."

Funding comes from the North Pennines Leader Programme, the North Pennines Partnership and County Durham's Local Agenda 21.

The official launch will take place at Stanhope Co-op on July 28, with Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong.