A TIPPLE of damson gin and a taste of sausage awaits Prince Charles on his forthcoming visit to pioneering food park Plumgarths, on the edge of Kendal.

His Royal Highness, a keen organic gardener and champion of local produce, has been following the progress of John and Rachel Geldard's venture with interest and he is particularly inspired by Plumgarths' sourcing initiative to supply Asda supermarket with

local specialities such as meat, pies, ice cream, Cumberland sausage and soups.

"We are very touched he's selected Plumgarths as part of his visit to the North," farmer Mr Geldard told the Gazette.

"Plumgarths is the sort of initiative that His Royal Highness is extremely interested in, and he's been very much a driving force this last year or two in trying to connect local food operations with the major multiples."

Mr Geldard, vice chairman of Cumbria NFU, said the Prince of Wales had spent a lot of time talking to supermarkets and the food industry about the ways they could help the rural community by stocking local produce.

Fourteen months ago, the Geldards were invited to St James' Palace for the launch of a local sourcing initiative and, since then, Prince Charles has been keeping an eye on progress at Plumgarths.

"The thing that really excites him is the operation we've done with Asda on the local sourcing," said Mr Geldard.

Plumgarths food park and farm shop is used by Asda as a "one-stop shop" for the local produce it wants on its shelves and the venture has become one of the leading operations of its type in the country.

While he is at Plumgarths on Wednesday, March 12, Prince Charles will be introduced to fellow directors Steve Chambers and Paul Airey and some of the food

producers based there, and will be shown the full range of goods supplied to Asda.

"I'm sure he will have ample opportunity to sample things, from the Plumgarths sausage to a tipple of damson gin," said Mr Geldard.

After his visit, Prince Charles will cross the road to the Gateway Inn where he is due to join discussions about local sourcing in Cumbria, chaired by Business in

the Community, of which he is president.

Also present at the meeting will be local representatives of supermarkets, hotels, food groups, farms and farming co-operatives.

Earlier in the day, HRH is to visit the Oddfellows Arms at Caldbeck to speak with members of the

Northern Fells Group, formerly one of HRH's Rural Revival Initiatives.

The royal visitor will also reopen the Toffee Shop at Brunswick Road, Penrith home of the fudge described as "easily the best in the world" by Prince Charles's second cousin, Lord Lichfield.