More farm shops and dairy farms could pop up on the South Downs thanks to a windfall of government cash.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced yesterday the South Downs National Park and West Sussex would be labelled as two of 11 Food Enterprise Zones (FEZs) across the country.

The proposed zones are being set up to encourage new food businesses selling local produce. It is geared at helping them to create new jobs. There will be grants of £50,000 available for each zone, and more designated areas could be rolled out in the future if the scheme proves successful.

On the South Downs, the Government is keen for more small to medium sized dairy production to take place on existing dairy farms, re-using redundant buildings and sites. It is also hoped more farm shops can flourish.

West Sussex will be designated as another FEZ to boost horticulture.

Colin Langridge, director at the award winning Rushfields Farm Shop in Poynings which opened four years ago, said: “Anything that encourages local food production is a good thing. Especially funding for dairy production would be good as they are having a difficult time at the moment.

"Our whole business is based on local produce from Sussex. We sell more than 30 Sussex cheeses and our lamb and beef comes from a farm across the road. It’s extremely popular with customers.”

Trevor Passmore, of Coombes Farm in Lancing, said any project to support farmers was a good idea.

He said: “As well as encouraging new ones to start up it’s important to save the ones we have already got. There’s always a need for them and an increase in farm shops would help us sell some of our produce too.”

Trevor Beattie, chief executive for the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “The South Downs’ working landscapes have been shaped by farmers and food production for thousands of years - for example our rare and endangered chalk grassland can only survive when it’s grazed by sheep or cattle.

"The Food Enterprise Zone will make it simpler for our dairy farmers to reuse farm buildings for production or to set up farm shops to sell their produce to a local market – boosting their businesses, the local economy and the National Park as a whole.

“It’s great timing as we’re already working with farmers and food & drink producers to create a new local food directory – southdownsfood.org – and support network launching this May.”

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “Food Enterprise Zones will help unlock the potential of local food and farming businesses, boosting local economies and attracting more investment.

"Consumers both here and abroad want to buy Great British food.

"These zones will ensure we can grow more top quality produce and expand our food industry.”