Three out of four shoppers in the South West are said to buy organic

The Soil Association says the region has 990 registered producers, which accounts for a quarter of the UK total.

The Bristol-based group said shoppers in the South West were more likely to buy organic food than those elsewhere.

Three out of four said they bought some organic food each year. There has been a growing interest among local farmers wanting to go organic.

Organic South West (OSW) in Callington, Cornwall, is said to be getting more enquiries from producers seeking to go convert.

OSW, which promotes organic food and farming has worked with six local schools to help them provide local and organic food for pupils.

'Sales up'

The Soil Association's Organic Food and Farming Report 2004 also revealed that, nationally, sales of organic food have increased by over 10% in the last year.

The proportion of organic food sold through the supermarkets is said to have fallen by 1% for the second year running, with consumers turning directly to farmers.

Sales through box schemes, farmers' markets or farm shops have soared by 16% and are now worth �108m a year.

About a million more organic chickens were sold last year, despite relatively little promotion by the supermarkets.

Patrick Holden, Director of the Soil Association said: "The organic market is thriving and is being driven by consumers who want to buy fresh, local, good-quality seasonal food directly from the farmer.