A farm shop near Diss has become one of the first in the country to sign up to a new Farm Shop Charter.

Fifteen of the Suffolk's farm shops have signed up to the pioneering Suffolk County Council scheme, aimed at assuring customers that they are buying quality local produce, which was spearheaded by Suffolk Trading Standards.

Stores that sign up to the charter - the first of its kind in the UK - have to demonstrate that they are following strict guidelines around pricing, labelling, weight and the source of all food and drink on sale.

Jeremy Laurie, owner of the Stuston Farm Shop, said he hoped the inclusion of the shop on the county council charter will boost business and ensure that farm shops offer what they say they are selling.

Mr Laurie, who has run the shop and pets corner for the last two years, said: 'If it is promoted correctly and people understand what the charter is, it should hopefully bring people in.'

'There is always a place for a good farm shop and they do not have to be expensive if the fruit, veg and meat is sourced locally. Our caf� is a little dearer than a supermarket, but the quality of the sausages and bacon is fair superior.'

The new charter follows research in 2010 which found that some food products in farm shops lacked the correct label information, or failed to meet clear standards when it came to advertising the source of the produce.