Judith Chalmers picks cobs to promote Pagham produce

Mrs Chalmers called into Europe's largest processor and packer of sweetcorn as part of a campaign to encourage people to eat locally-produced food.

She said she was astounded by the size of the operation at Barfoots of Botley's Sefter Farm. Its 510 hectares along Pagham Road produce millions of cobs of corn a year thanks to the area's ideal climate.

"I've been to this area '“ Bognor Regis and Chichester '“ many times filming for Wish You Were Here and I had no idea this impressive farm was tucked behind some trees. I have been absolutely amazed at the extent of this operation," she stated.

Mrs Chalmers spent part of her time at the farm with the driver of a superjack. This is a piece of agricultural machinery which picks the crop out of the field. She followed the harvesting process all the way through to the cold room.

This can store a massive four million corn cobs at 8C compared with the 22C when they are picked. From the storage, the cobs are packed and distributed to Britain's leading supermarkets within 24 hours to ensure they are fresh and tasty.

They could be tempting shoppers a few hours later. Those which Mrs Chalmers helped to pluck could have already been eaten by the time this article appears.

Her visit to Sefter Farm was arranged by Sainsbury's which has been supplied by Barfoots, led by Jon Barfoot, for 12 years.

The retailer '“ which is seeking to return to Bognor with a new superstore along the A29 '“ chose Barfoots as one of its eight key UK farmers and producers for an Eat Britain campaign.

This has been launched to coincide with an expected surge in British holidays this year and after research from Sainsbury's showed many people could not recognise British foods, being more familiar with foods from holidays abroad.

This is despite the fact Sainsbury's uses 17,000 farmers and producers to keep its shelves stocked.

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