A VEGETABLE grower has been flooded with applications after advertising picking and packing roles to people looking for work in Herefordshire.

Growers AS Green & Co launched their local recruitment drive after they were faced with the challenge of labour shortages in the wake of Covid-19.

And they were inundated with applicants keen to be considered for the 160 available positions.

The Mathon farm has now filled all the roles it had available for workers to pick and pack the summer crop of Tenderstem broccoli and other specialist vegetables.

It received over 1,000 applications following the local drive and further publicity after Prince Charles urged the public to pick for Britain, calling for “an army of people to help”.

Read more: Herefordshire farm launches appeal for 160 local pickers and packers

Andrew Green, owner of AS Green & Co, said: “It was heartening to receive such a huge influx of applications from members of the local community who wanted to work with us.

"As Prince Charles highlighted earlier this week, this is challenging work but work which is vital to our nation.

"We are thrilled to now have a full team in place to ensure that our crop of Tenderstem broccoli doesn’t go to waste and that we can continue providing people across the country with delicious, fresh, UK-grown veg.

“While there are no more vacancies here at AS Green, there are a number of great schemes for those looking to pursue work in agriculture this summer, such as Pick for Britain.”

Click here to find out more about Pick for Britain.