Shoppers are getting back down to earth and digging a little deeper to buy healthier food. LIZA WILLIAMS reports on Chester's organic revolution.

IT'S OFFICIAL, organic sales are on the increase. The health-conscious and taste-aware are buying into the idea and stores selling organic products are popping up all over Chester.

From fruit and veg to moisturiser and baby food, Cheshire has it covered - you can even buy your weekly shop at an organic store and school children have started growing their own organic crops.

Mark Holme, owner of Organicfair on St James Street explained: 'We sell almost everything you would buy from a supermarket, from food to wine and cleaning products.'

The shop has been trading for five years and business is growing, 'We provide convenience as well as organic produce.'

Allan Hughes, who runs The Organic Stores on Sealand Road attracts customers from all over the country.

'We have been in action for eight years,' he explained. 'We are the only shop in country, as far as I am aware, that is 100% organic.'

Mr Hughes admits organic produce is more expensive than non-organic.

However he claimed: 'If you use raw organic ingredients and stick to the basics, organic produce is not expensive, plus you often get more for your money. For example, organic meat might appear to cost more but there is less water, so it does not shrink.'

So-baby, a Tattenhall-based business, cooks organic baby food, such as salmon pie and butternut squash and orange.

Chris Larkin set up the company with his partner Sarah Dennison, after they had trouble finding additive-free food for their young daughter.

The food pots are distributed to around 20 sellers in the area, including Chester Zoo.

'I think people are becoming much more conscious about what they put into their bodies and surely this is even more important as far as babies are concerned,' said Mr Larkin.

But it is not just organic food - ella-ment.com, an online organic beauty store based in Ashton sells organically certified products for the body and face.

Claire Lewis started the website to promote organic skin care: 'I think people are starting to realise that putting chemicals on your face and body is as bad as eating them,' she said.

However, despite this availability of organic products in the area, sellers state very few raw ingredients are produced here.

As Mr Hughes from The Organic Stores explained: 'There are not many organic suppliers in this area. The things that I do not produce myself I have to ship in from a wide range of places.'

Mr Holme from Organic-fair added: 'It is surprising how few organic producers there are in the area.'

Mr Larkin from So Baby agrees: 'The other day I brought some organic runner beans and they were from Morocco!'

Most supermarkets have organic ranges but they are often sourced nationally.

Ainsley Baker, who runs an organic beef farm near Tarporley, agrees. 'There are not a huge number of producers in the area but the amount is growing.

'It is quite a tough process, you have to be up and running organically for two years before you receive official status from the Soil Association and rigorous checks are in place.

'We sell most of our meat to Waitrose. We also make up organic boxes which go straight to the customer.'

Some schools are also growing organic produce, increasing grass roots production as a practical and educational way of learning how fruit and vegetables grow.

Pupils at Harthill Primary near Tattenhall have started their own organic garden and are growing organic raspberries, gooseberries, vegetables and salad.

Headteacher Mrs Moron said: 'We are an Eco school and wanted to encourage the children to think about their food - we thought this was the best of doing it.

'Maybe if we bring children up with organics in mind it will become even more popular in the future.'