Jamie Oliver backs beleaguered farmers

Jamie Oliver has told shoppers to buy British lamb to help the beleaguered farming industry.

Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, bluetongue and the wet summer are estimated to have cost farmers hundreds of millions of pounds.

Oliver said the consuming public could help: "Now is the time for a call to action to help our British farmers. It's been a tough year for them and for many it's just getting worse.

"I'd like to encourage everyone to buy more British lamb, at least for the next few weeks."

The television chef recommended using lamb mince in bolognese and having roast shoulder of lamb on Sundays.

Thomas Binns, NFU livestock board chairman, commented: "It is a fantastic endorsement to get Jamie Oliver on board and his support will inject some much needed confidence in the industry."