"There is a whole range of reasons why we need to support local businesses," he told the FPB, which shared a stand at the show with Knutsford-based member Marshall's Auctioneers and Estate Agents. "There is an ethical, political, social and moral responsibility to support businesses in our local areas. If we don't, we run the risk of there being no locally-produced ingredients to use at all." 

The FPB is highlighting figures provided by Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the environment and land-based industry, which suggest that the British farmer could be a thing of the past by 2035, should the current trend of 15,900 workers per year leaving the industry be allowed to continue. 

In a statement, Lantra said that the current explosion in fuel and energy prices illustrated how reliant the UK has become on imported raw materials and commodities. 

"Lantra predicts that, unless urgent action is taken by industry and government, Britain could face the same vulnerability in relation to food supply," it said. "Based on the current decline in the industry, the great British breakfast could be off the menu once and for all as we look to other markets to supply our food. Spain is the largest single exporter of eggs to England and Wales, China is the world's largest pork producer. Britain may also have had its chips, with China also being the world's largest exporter of potatoes." 

To mark the ‘Year of Food and Farming', Cheshire farmers and food producers are coming together in the Cheshire Show's new Agri-Centre to inform visitors of the food path ‘From Plough to Plate'. Mr Woodford, who was born in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, was the star turn at the show's food hall, wowing visitors with a range of tasty dishes, using fresh, locally-produced ingredients. 

He added: "I've a serious objection to using ingredients that have had to endure miles of travel. I know how I feel when I have experienced transatlantic travel – the last thing I want to do is use strawberries from California when I can get really good quality English strawberries. I want to be able to trace where my ingredients come from, for my family and for my customers. I am totally behind the FPB's campaign to support local businesses, and wish it good luck."