SCHOOL children, politicians and members of the public will all be tucking into succulent breakfasts this week as the NFU joins forces with other organisations to promote its Farmhouse Breakfast Week.

The annual campaign to encourage people to eat a regular, healthy breakfast incorporating British food is established as an essential part of the farming calendar in the West Midlands.

And this year is no exception with three counties in the West Midlands playing host to a total of more than 50 breakfasts throughout the week.

The major push has seen the National Farmers' Union join forces with the Herefordshire Rural Hub to encourage farming families to hold breakfasts for the general public.

People are being charged £5 a breakfast with the proceeds going towards the purchase of a portable ultrasound scanner for Hereford Hospital.

"We have already been overwhelmed with the support from the public with some of the breakfasts planned this week likely to attract more than 50 people," said NFU West Midlands regional Press and campaigns officer Russell Griffin.

"There are more than 50 breakfasts taking place in different parishes across Herefordshire and hopefully we will raise a substantial sum to help the hospital's appeal."

The NFU is also offering a prize of a hamper of local food for the breakfast host that serves up the most locally-produced breakfast in terms of the distance the food has travelled.

Elsewhere in the region, farmers from the NFU's Central Warwickshire branch served up breakfast to pupils from Hatton Junior School at Hatton Country World on Wednesday morning.

And in Staffordshire, a VIP breakfast took place at Amerton Farm, Weston.

Politicians

This event is now in its third year and attracted nearly 200 people last year. Guests include farmers, politicians, clergy, council officials and members of the emergency services.

The sixth Farmhouse Breakfast Week lasts until Monday, and it aims to highlight the nutritional importance of a healthy breakfast and showcases the wide variety of superb quality breakfast foods produced across the country.

Farmhouse Breakfast Week is supported by Food from Britain and this year, once again, the regional food groups, including Heart of England Fine Foods, are organising a variety of events all around the country.