COME with me back to the years either side of the Second World War - not that I remember them too clearly, of course - when England was dotted by small farms.

Specialisation was not then the norm, most were mixed and many kept a small herd of cows.

Lumbering beasts that trundled up and down the country lanes twice a day, back and forth from pasture to

milking parlour. Near me, the milk was taken round by the farmer's wife in a little milk float pulled by a pony. She ladled it out into jugs covered by muslin cloths.

It was the ultimate doorstep delivery and, as far as I remember, no one died in our neck of the woods from drinking milk straight from a cow. Well, the experience of being able to buy milk direct from your local herd may be coming back.

Fed up with seeing the price they get for their milk plummet, more dairy farmers are looking to sell direct to the public.

Of course, the operation is nowhere near as simple as it used to be, for there is now a raft of health and hygiene laws to comply with, but the Milk Development Council has just announced a surge in enquiries from farmers who are considering processing their own milk. Installing a processing plant on their premises would not only allow the 'farm gate' sale of milk, but also mean it could be used to make ice cream and yoghurt.

Such a move has understandably found favour with Worcester's best known name in dairy farming, John Bennett, of Lower Wick.

For many years Bennett's Dairies was a by-word for milk in the city and surrounding villages.

The family ran two herds of Holstein Friesians, one at Madresfield and the other at the home farm at Lower Wick, where there was also a large milking and bottling complex.

A fleet of electric floats took the milk around the streets and became part of the city scene. But even such an efficient organisation couldn't compete and, in 1992, John sold his doorstep delivery operation. The bottling plant was demolished and in its place is now a family-style pub.

Bennetts still have a 200 strong milking herd, but now the milk goes to the co-operative First Milk, although some is retained to make their own ice cream.

"Just after the Second World War, you could get a living out of a herd of 30 cows," said John. "In 1980 the size of the average herd was 60 and today they say its 95, but I reckon its nearer 140. In the last 10 years the number of dairy herds in England and Wales has halved, from 28,000 in 1994 to around 14,000 today. The small herd just cannot keep going.

"To those who are considering processing and selling their own milk I would say 'good luck'. But you have to remember, it is one thing to produce something, it takes a lot more effort to sell it.

"But I do like the idea of people being able to buy their local milk off local farms."

To help dairy farmers decide, the Milk Development Council is running a series of meetings across England and Wales at which they can gain an insight into the pros and cons of starting an on-farm processing venture. "There is much to be considered before moving forward with a processing venture," said Liz Broadbent, MDC's marketing director.

"The MDC hopes to answer some of the many questions that are posed at the early stages. Not least of which is, should you actually go ahead.

"It is not our intention to actively encourage on-farm processing, it is simply our job to assist those who are trying to decide whether it is for them and how best to proceed.

"I would like to emphasise how important it is to come to us early."

So, if you are a dairy farmer considering home processing, MDC is holding a meeting at Shires Farm, Hawford, on Thursday, January 26 at 7.15pm. More details from MDC on 01285 646542. And can I drive the pony and trap, please?