A NEW farmshop has thrown open its doors in Staplehurst.

Ann Widdecombe, Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald, opened Henhurst Farm Shop, in the grounds of Henhurst Farm, Pinnock Lane, on Saturday. Miss Widdecombe joined people on vintage tractor rides around the shop's orchards and enjoyed a barbecue.

The shop was the brainchild of Geoffrey Kite, an experienced farm shop manager, who ran Bumble's, on the Cranbrook Road, Knoxbridge, for five years.

Last year, Mr Kite decided to branch out and open his own shop. His uncle, George Day, runs Henhurst Farm and supplies the new shop with corn and lamb.

He helped his nephew set up the business. He said: "The produce is as fresh as it can be with the minimal amount of travelling involved. If you look at prices compared to supermarkets, the difference is incredible and it's helping farmers."

Most of the farm shop's stock is produced by farms in the Staplehurst area. Miss Widdecombe became involved after Mr Day wrote to her.

He added: "She is genuinely interested in helping rural businesses."