A FARMER from Hartley took the bull by the horns and came runner-up in a regional food competition.

Roy Glover, of Hartley Bottom Farm, was runner-up in the National Farmers Union (NFU) south-east food award.

To enter the competition he had to do a write-up on his butchers shop at the farm.

Mr Glover said: I was so pleased to win this award because we worked really hard to set up the butchers shop in December 1998.

There are now three full-time butchers at the farm, in Hartley Bottom Road.

Mr Glover added: I want people in the area to realise there is an alternative to supermarket meat.

The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm and on Sunday from 10am to 1pm. For more information, call 01474 872970.