You may recall that in the autumn I was advocating as a school governor, through these columns, that the free fruit supplied to local schools should be sourced, as far as possible, from local farmers and growers.

Now, Prince Charles, voted Farmers Weekly Farming Personality of the Year, has gone a step further. He wrote in the magazine: "Our public bodies buy enormous quantities of food. Just imagine he amount of food purchased by our hospitals, armed forces, local government, schools and universities. What an impact it would make on the viability of the British farmer is each was to buy British and, preferably, local."

Surely now would be a good time for farming-related organisations to press home the issue with Royal backing.

Gerry Barnett, Wychavon District Councillor, Somerville Ward.