Suffolk farmers have praised a county council decision to source its food locally - and called for more public bodies to follow suit.

Farmers' leaders met with Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks after his authority voted to ensure that all catering at council-organised events should be sourced from local farmers.

The motion - passed in October - also committed it to include meat and dairy options alongside plant-based produce.

Councillors said they would also explore other ways the council can support Suffolk’s farmers.

National Farmers' Union (NFU) chairman Andrew Blenkiron and deputy Glenn Buckingham met with Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks at Glenn's farm at Framsden, near Debenham, to discuss the state of the industry.

As well as local food, topics discussed included flooding, rural crime and the council’s farming estate.

They also talked about included planning, infrastructure - and National Grid’s plans for a 112-mile line of pylons across swathes of countryside from Dunston, near Norwich to Tilbury of the Thames Estuary.

The controversial plans are opposed by Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex county councils.

Mr Blenkiron said: “It was great to meet the council leader on farm. He was engaged and interested in the issues.

“We need to continue that engagement with the county council and to ensure our voices are heard.

“We are pleased the council voted to source local food. We now need to see what else can be done.

"Can they use their influence to ensure locally-sourced produce is served in schools, care homes, hospitals and prisons? We want the council to continue to push for local sourcing as much as possible.

“We also want the council to continue to support the county farms in the council’s farming estate and to keep pushing the concerns of rural communities over the big pylons project.

“Long-term solutions need to be found on flooding. We need the council to work with land owners and other organisations and to help farmers be part of the solution.

“The council can particularly help with highways and ensuring the infrastructure is in place to keep everyone protected.”

Mr Hicks said: “This was a good opportunity to discuss how vital farming is to Suffolk and how we can work together to remind people about the importance of buying local.

“We are proud to have brought this motion to full council and to emphasise the importance of farmers to Suffolk.”