Organic spelt farm in production

The spelt is grown to Soil Association standard

One of the oldest grains in the world is being combined with the latest technology in a new flour mill near Glastonbury, Somerset.

Sharpham Park is producing a commercially-grown organic spelt crop in the UK and has set up an organic spelt flour mill.

Funding for the specialist machinery came from the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA).

Products from the mill are sold online, in farm shops and delicatessens.

'New jobs'

They are also sold at upmarket department store Harvey Nichols.

"This project is a great example of thinking out of the box, exploiting new markets, and it fits in with the huge interest in local and health foods," said Andy Rumming, rural development adviser for the South West RDA.

"The grants benefits go beyond just Sharpham Park, as farmers in the area are involved in the growing and harvesting, and a range of new jobs have been created."

The spelt is grown to Soil Association standard on part of the 300-acre Sharpham Park estate, as well as under contract at Shepton Montague near Bruton in Somerset.