The UK’s only sunflower oil producer is preparing for a bumper harvest.

There are only a few bottles of Sussex Gold’s extra virgin sunflower oil left in the shops and the company, based in Partridge Green, is making sure there will be plenty in stock next year.

Farmer John Ford started off planting sunflowers in just five acres in 2007.

The oil has since proved a big hit and this year he increased production to 40 acres, which will be harvested shortly to produce 15,000 bottles.

Mr Ford, whose core business is producing rapeseed oil, said: “Normally the sunflower oil you get in supermarkets is colourless and flavourless.

But ours has a very strong, peppery flavour. To be honest, it gets a mixed reaction. But the people who like it love it and it is popular with chefs.”

Sussex Gold is available from farm shops and Waitrose outlets across the South East.

Recently, Mr Ford was visited by Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert, who congratulated him on his success.

Mr Herbert said: “It’s great to see a local producer doing so well. It’s an example of how farmers are adapting to change.”

For information, visit www.sussexgold.co.uk.