People in the Vale are being urged to support the area's growers as asparagus season begins.

The chairman of Wychavon District Council, Cllr Robert Raphael, recently visited Revills Farm Shop in Defford as part of the start of British asparagus season, which began on St George’s Day, April 23, and runs until June 21.

Revills Farm Shop, which was started by Isabel Revill in 2003, started selling asparagus from a simple trestle table.

Today, it's a fully-fledged business, run by Isabel’s son-in-law Darren Hedges.

The farm covers 100 acres dedicated to asparagus, all hand-cut, and supply it to pubs, farm shops and supermarkets across the UK.

Cllr Raphael gave asparagus harvesting a go at the farm, expressing his admiration for the well-established Revill family, who have been farming at Birlingham for nearly a century.

Following his attempt, Diana Raphael, the chairman's consort, demonstrated the traditional method of tying asparagus.

Cllr Robert Raphael said: "It was fantastic to meet the Revills team and have a go at harvesting some asparagus – although I don’t think I will be offered a job any time soon!

"Our growers are an important part of our district, and our country’s economy, so please support them by buying British asparagus, preferably from local suppliers, as often as you can during the season.

"If you find a supermarket that isn’t selling British asparagus during British asparagus growing season then please ask them why."

Darren Hedges, manager of Revills Farm Shop, said: "I was impressed with the chairman’s asparagus cutting skills and grateful it remained dry for a change!

"The weather has been challenging this year but hopefully it will settle soon and we will get better growing conditions.

"However, you can still find plenty of great British asparagus out there, including the finest spears grown here in the Vale."

Footage of the chairman's visit to Revills Farm Shop is available on Wychavon’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

It was part of his 50th Anniversary Tour, which commemorates 50 years of Wychavon.

For more information about the tour, visit the Wychavon District Council website.