A FORMER West Devon Mayor is spearheading a campaign aimed at helping hard-pressed farmers.

Liberal Democrat Alison Clish-Green took to the airwaves in live radio shows this week to highlight a nationwide drive to buy British.

Mrs Clish-Green, who is a West Devon Borough Councillor and chairman of the Local Government Association's Rural Commission, said: 'I think most people are aware of the crisis which has hit the agricultural industry.

'The National Farmers' Union launched their Proud to Serve British campaign a month ago and the LGA, which represents all councils, decided we should support them.'

Mrs Clish-Green, said a letter would be 'landing on the desks' of all councils in the country, urging authorities to buy British produce where possible.

She said authorities responsible for residential homes, school meals, and hospital catering should think about buying British produce wherever possible.

'In the past and still now, councils have to go for CCT — compulsory competitive tendering — they have to go for the cheapest option.

'This will be abolished and replaced with a duty of best value, which will give councils more flexibility to support local, British produce.

'I feel quite strongly if the demand is there, supply will come on stream and costs will come down.

'I think farmers are helping themselves, but they can do with a boost,' she said, adding that increased business for farmers had a knock-on affect in rural communities.

The NFU has welcomed the support of the LGA in its campaign, which is also backed by businesses ranging from café owners to big name firms such as Booker Foodservice and burger giant McDonald's.

NFU president Ben Gill said: 'Local authorities are responsible for the buying decisions of millions of people in Britain. We hope they all respond to the LGA's call by ordering the best of British every time.'

l Support for rural West Devon was also highlighted in a mission to Brussels attended by the West Devon Council's chief executive David Incoll.

The visit is an opening round of a major campaign by the Rural Development Commission to win vital funding from Brussels for jobs, training, business support and technology development in West Devon.

Mr Incoll said: 'The campaign is set against a backdrop of far-reaching changes to European regional funding that will see the end of the current programme by the end of this year.

'It is essential for rural Devon that it attracts new funding to help business development and create new jobs for local people.'