WITHIN six months of opening, Hanley Farm Shop has not only generated 12 new jobs but has also become a valuable asset for local farmers and growers.

In such a short space of time the Edward's family business based in Tidenham, near Chepstow, has been busy selling their own produce and found that have had to source from other local farmers, growers and suppliers.

Lyndon Edwards said: "In addition to the 12 new jobs that were created for local people, our team includes an on-site butcher, baker (no candlestick maker planned as yet) and nutritionist. Hanley Farm Shop is also proving to be a valuable new revenue stream for many more in the area."

It wasn't a case of just clearing out an old farm building and starting up a farm shop for the Edwards family; they sympathetically and painstakingly renovated an old barn and fitted it out professionally. Through the farm shop they want to share with their visitors just exactly what goes on behind the scenes of their busy farm shop, the farm itself and their land share scheme.

"We've been pleasantly surprised by the fact that people do actually care more about where their food comes from these days and want to know more about it," said Lyndon. "I suppose that, as farmers, it's something that we've always taken for granted but we're going to open up the window on our world through our new monthly newsletter, aptly called Hanley Moos, that will feature pictures and articles from both farm and farm shop."

Hanley Moos is available at the shop and on their website http://www.hanleyfarmshop.co.uk">www.hanleyfarmshop.co.uk