FARM workers facing the loss of their jobs in crisis-torn Zimbabwe hope their hand-embroidered bed linen and a Kentish woman will help them survive. Claire Freeth, from Oad Street, Borden, near Sittingbourne, recently stayed in Zimbabwe with her son Ben, 31, his wife Laura, 30, and their two young children.

The farm at Chigutu, some 75 minutes' drive from the capital Harare, has been in Laura's family for more than 30 years. Earlier this year, squatters beat up Ben, a farming union official who was born in Minster, Isle of Sheppey, and spent a lot of his time in Oad Street.

He recovered and is fighting President Mugabe's decision to evict white farmers and their employees by Thursday August 8. About 1.5 million farmers and their workers have been told to get out by the deadline or face up to two years in prison.

While many formerly productive farms lie idle, much of the population now face starvation. With Zimbabwean agriculture plunged into turmoil by years of violence and official hostility, many farms have looked for other ways of making a living and keeping their workers in jobs.

Laura found that many local people, mainly women but also some men, had embroidery skills and invited them to join her in a new business she called Laura's Fine Linen. Around 25 women, many of them wives of farm workers, are busy in the garden hand-embroidering high-quality pillowcases, sheets, valances and duvet covers.

Mrs Freeth was so impressed by their work that she decided to promote sales in the United Kingdom. She said she was so sad about what was happening in Zimbabwe that she wanted to do something to help.

"The bed linen is absolutely brilliant," she said. "They are such perfectionists and the quality control is exemplary. One of my customers bought some for a wedding present but decided to keep them, saying they were collector's items."

As for the political situation, she says all she can do is hope and pray that the August 8 deadline will come and go without her family and their workers being kicked off their farm. She said: "If the white farmers stay, they are able to help their workforce whatever happens, but if they are forced out, I dread to think what will happen."

Prices range from £18 for a pillowcase to £40 for a king size sheet, £80 for a double duvet cover and £30 for a single valance. Inquiries to Mrs Freeth on telephone 01795 842341, fax 01795 844156 or clairefreeth@aol.com