A MEETING will be held next week to examine opportunities arising from the increased interest in local food and farm shops.

Organised by the North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory group, it will take place in the Farmers Cart farm shop, Towthorpe, near York, at 7pm on Thursday, December 7.

Speakers will include Edward Sykes, of the Farmers Cart, Barry Ferguson, of the University of East Anglia, who will discuss branding local produce and protected landscapes, and Richard Evans, of the Slow Food North Yorkshire produce group.

Tickets are free, available on 01609-783632.