VISITORS to Shipbrook Farm in Whatcroft may be worried their eyes are deceiving them as the carrots have taken on a distinctly purple look.

But Simon Bennett, 30, who runs Bennett Riverside Organics, in Manor Lane, says customers at the farm shop should not be concerned as this is how the vegetable originally appeared.

He added: "Carrots originated in Afghanistan more than 5,000 years ago and ancient Egyptian temple drawings show that they used to be purple but the story goes that patriotic Dutch growers bred them to be orange to match the colour of their flag and also as a feather in the cap for William of Orange."

And now Simon, who has been running the thriving organic business for six months, has grown the purple vegetables.

He said: "I bought the seeds from an organic seed merchant and the carrots are now available to buy after three or four months growing.

"They are bred in the same way but the skin is slightly thicker and has a slightly sweeter taste and they are high in fibre and have lots of health benefits, such as antioxidants for fighting cancer.

"The colour may interest children so it could be a good way to get them to eat more vegetables."

For further information, call Simon on 01606 46258.