A family farm looking to secure its future has opened its own shop, after a five-year wait.

John and Anne Brown, of Little Gosford Farm, officially opened the building last Friday (August 31) with the help of special guest Sir Hugo Swire, with the aim to showcase the best of its own and other local products.

The shop has been five years in the making as the couple achieved planning permission to put the shop further up the farm, but were refused permission to advertise the cabin’s location.

Following the decision, John and Anne submitted a new application to create a new access and relocate the shop closer to the road which was approved on appeal.

The couple have run the 43-acre farm for the last 18 years rearing free range poultry, beef, lamb and pork and their own range of tea.

On sale will be a selection of meat, vegetables and some of John’s homemade bread, prepared in the shop kitchen when he has opportunity to bake.

The farm has also installed an electric car charging point for visitors and car park alongside the wooden cabin.

Anne said: “It will be nice to involve the local community. We want to get local people who are producing or making things themselves to use us.

“We will start off opening three days a week as we have animals to look after and general farming.

“We are being encouraged to open farm shops as local people want to eat local food, they want to know where the products come from.

“The customers will come in and give us direction and let us know what they would like to see.

During the official opening, the couple were able to tell visitors about how the farm worked, and their relationship with East Hill Pride abattoir.

Anne added: “We want to provide good food that is local in every way.”

Sir Hugo said: “I have great pleasure in declaring this long awaited shop open.

“I’m delighted to be able to support a great facility for both local people and tourists that sells locally sourced products.

“It is a great addition for us in East Devon.”

Visit Little Gosford Farm’s website at http://littlegosfordfarm.co.uk/ to find out more about opening times.