A farmer who has developed a flourishing craft centre is the regional winner in the Farming Entrepreneur of the Year awards, organised by the National Farmers' Union.

John Pudge, owner of the Hop Pocket Craft Centre at New House Farm, Bishop's Frome, near Bromyard, will represent the West Midlands region in next month's national finals of the NFU President's Awards 2002.

Mr Pudge gave up dairy cows and sheep in favour of fattening turkeys for Brandons of Derby and also grows potatoes, hops, spearmint, peppermint, applemint, camomile, coriander and valerian.

He used some redundant hop storage space to open the Hop Pocket Craft Centre, which has expanded twice in 10 years and now has three units, an all-day restaurant and a plant centre.

Mr Pudge is also a director of the Hereford Natural Oils Company, established three years ago with his neighbours to produce distilled essential oils.

Bob Forster, the NFU's West Midlands regional director, said the NFU President's Awards recognised innovation, vision and determination by farmers and growers.

"Despite farming's worst crisis in living memory, they are driving British farming forward," he said.