FARM shops across the region are taking part in a campaign promoting breakfast as the most important meal of the day.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is running the Farmhouse Breakfast Week event.

The campaign champions the importance of eating breakfast and also celebrates the wealth of produce available around the country.

It runs until January 26 and organisers claim it is important to stress the benefits of breakfast as 47 per cent of people nationally skip the meal.

Several members of Taste North East club are taking part. Dropswell Farm Shop in Trimdon, County Durham, is one of the businesses involved.

It is offering a buy one breakfast get one for £1 offer during the week to Taste Club members.

Christine Craddock, of Dropswell Farm Shop, said: “We’re delighted to be part of Farmhouse Breakfast Week in the North East.

“We use handmade, locally-reared pork and herb sausages; award-winning cured back bacon and own-recipe black pudding in our breakfast.”

Jane Hogan, chief executive officer of Taste North East, said: “We hope the campaign will encourage consumers to eat a healthy, hearty North East breakfast every day.”

Taste North East is also running a competition offering a hamper of local produce from Blagdon Farm Shop, Newcastle.

Entries can be made on-line at www.tastenortheast.co.uk/competitions and the closing date is January 31.

Details on Farmhouse Breakfast Week can be found at www.farmhousebreakfastweek.co.uk.