A FARMING family that diversified into car-boot sales because of declining agricultural prices has found the enterprise such a phenomenal success they are extending it.

Tom and Audrey Evans said Prime Minister Tony Blair had told people like them to "stop whinging and diversify" and that was what they had done.

Now they have won planning permission to hold a further 10 car boot sales a year at their land in Stoney Street, Madley, near Hereford, adding to the 14 already run from there.

The Evans, of Walnut Tree Farm, Clehonger, said the sales had been a lifeline that had made it possible for them to continue farming.

It also provided a venue for county farmers to sell their own produce, they said.

By securing approval to run 10 extra sale days, the family can trade each Sunday afternoon from spring through to the end of summer.

Since starting up the car boot enterprise two years ago, the couple said it had proved a "phenomenal success".

While the planning application had attracted many local supporters, there were three letters of objections.

Reasons for opposition included the noise and disruption created by 300 to 400 cars arriving at the site. One family said it forced them to stay indoors on Sundays.