A FARMING family forced into a new direction by foot and mouth are about to open their second shop in just over five months.

The Dobson family, of Grove Court, Greenhill, Suckley, will open The Parson's Nose Sausage Shop at Hurrans Garden Centre, just outside Leigh Sinton, on Wednesday selling not only sausages, but a selection of free-range meat and poultry, and many other foods and products from cider to jam.

A key part of the business is sourcing products locally and owner Alan Dobson said it was an opportunity for people to support the local farming community.

The new opening builds on the success of The Parson's Nose in Bromyard, which opened in March, and the new outlet is the family's first sole venture.

"We used to go round all the shows selling our produce, but when foot and mouth struck they were all cancelled, so we opened our own shop in Bromyard together with the Teme Valley Market Farmers' Group," said Mr Dobson.

"All our ingredients and products are sourced from close by, so the food travels as little as possible," he added.

One of the family specialities is sausages and among their fans is Prince Andrew, who bought some at the Royal Show.

In a letter to the family, Captain Lance Gerrard-Wright said the Duke of York "enjoyed the fine flavour" and sent his best wishes.

Fillings include wild black boar, red wine and garlic; pork and Herefordshire cider, and even Champagne, caviar and fillet steak.

The business is a family concern, and the trade is well established. The family have been farmers, butchers and bakers since the 1700s.

"My great-grandmother was the first woman in England to get a slaughterer's licence," Mr Dobson said, "And my great-grandfather claims to have invented the gingerbread man!

"You can actually tell who has linked the sausages by their size, as they are all hand made and everyone's method of linking them is slightly different."

The company will be at the Three Counties Show, where tickets for the invitation-only grand opening on Wednesday will be available. The shop is open for business now, and invitations can be obtained there too.