A CAMPAIGN to persuade people to buy more from local food producers is being germinated by West Devon Borough Council.

It has written to supermarkets asking them to declare what their policy is on stocking local produce. The idea is part of a 'charter for the rural economy' adopted by the council which could make it easier for buyers to identify local products and give them preference.

But it may not be as easy as it sounds. John Bowman, manager of Safeway's in Tavistock, said he was not aware of which products came from local suppliers, as they all went to a warehouse in Bristol before being distributed to the stores.

'It would not be practical to take direct delivery from local suppliers as that could mean 40 extra lorries coming to the shop,' he said. 'If we could be told which of our products were local, then we could ask our buyers to label them as such.'

Ian Walls, communications manager for Plymco, which has stores in Tavistock, Bere Alston and Yelverton, said the company used 27 local suppliers of fresh food — 70-80 per cent of the total. He doubted if it would be possible to increase that figure.

John Webb, manager of Waitrose in Okehampton, said their cheeses and milk were mainly bought locally, but he did not know about fruit and vegetables or other products, because they came from a centre in Bracknell.

Sandy Loud, of Peninsula Milk Processors, the dairy produce supplier in Okehampton, said she would be glad of an initiative that encouraged people to buy more local goods.

Last month's Church of England Exeter diocesan synod agreed to develop a programme to support rural communities by promoting the use of local suppliers.

A leaflet listing local producers has been published by Tavistock's Preb John Rawlings and made available in the parish church. Preb Rawlings said he would be inviting clergymen of other churches to join in the effort.

Tim Beavon, the council's economic and leisure development manager, is waiting for replies from the supermarkets to his inquiry before the council decides what it can do to further the campaign.