THE NFU has joined forces with Herefordshire Rural Hub to challenge farms to celebrate Farmhouse Breakfast Week by holding at least one breakfast for the public in every parish.

And it is hoped that the Herefordshire effort will raise much-needed cash to help buy a portable ultra-sound scanner for the accident and emergency ward at Hereford Hospital.

The NFU, led by deputy chairman Julia Evans, who also chairs the hub, is encouraging farmers to organise a breakfast on their farms and sell tickets to the public at £5 a time.

"There are 234 parishes in Herefordshire and we are hoping that farmers and their families will take up the challenge and get a breakfast organised in every single one," said Julia.

"We want to raise as much money as possible for a very worthy cause and at the same time raise the profile of farming in the county and good old-fashioned home-cooked British breakfast food."

There will be a prize for the most locally-produced breakfast that is served up in the county as part of the campaign.

The sixth breakfast week, starting on January 22, will show that the NFU has a strong tradition of supporting the campaign in the West Midlands region.

The event aims to highlight the nutritional importance of a healthy breakfast and showcases the wide variety of superb quality breakfast foods produced across the country.

The Breakfast Week has a record of extensive coverage on TV, radio and in print, providing excellent promotional opportunities for those taking part.

It is supported by Food from Britain and this year once again the regional food groups, including Heart of England Fine Foods, are organising a variety of events all around the country.

Anyone wishing to know more about organising a breakfast in their parish should either contact Mrs Evans on 01886 821431 or Cathy Meredith on 01432 870033.