The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is joining forces with the Soil Association to help organic businesses grow.

The cash will help to market farms producing organic food as well as fund a directory of "organic" businesses, including restaurants and hotels.

Cash will also be made available for a number of research projects.

Phil Stocker, the Soil Association's head of agriculture, said: "This will provide vital support for organic farmers in the region and those looking to convert.

Conversion aid

"The Soil Association will have three offices in the North of England, as part of a five-year strategy to develop organic farming in the region."

Robert Aubrook, rural development adviser at Defra, said: "The organics market is growing and there are already 73 organic producers across the North East, 27 of which have also benefited from conversion aid.

"This new project will be an important part of the government's sustainable food and farming strategy in the region and will help raise awareness of organic production and processing.

"We will be continuing to work closely with the Soil Association and funding will also be available to help provide training to ensure farmers and producers have the skills they need to succeed in the organic market."