A RURAL home delivery service has been given a boost by the Government, with a £26,000 grant.

Crofter's Foods, based at Seamer, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was launched less than a year ago to take local produce to people's doorsteps.

Demand for the service is growing so rapidly that the customer base has already doubled and there are plans for a third delivery van soon.

The grant, through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Rural Enterprise Scheme, is being used to produce publicity materials and develop the firm's website.

"The business is really taking off," said Grahame Armitage who, with his wife, Jane, set up the business last June.

"Crofter's is like your local butcher, baker and greengrocer all rolled into one," he said.

"Our progress so far has underlined what we all know - that there is a huge demand for premium quality, locally-produced food. The problem people have is that they often don't have the time to source all the products themselves."

Defra rural development advisor Howard Botting said: "We were very impressed with the quality of Mr Armitage's application.

"He's not only employing two people full-time and supporting a wide variety of local food producers, but also providing a well-needed service."