A LABOUR of love has taken a Bolton property expert from suits to fruits in an attempt to boost the local rural economy.

Sharon Clare gave up a high-paid job in property acquisition and sales to launch The Really Green Grocer, a shop that sells locally-sourced organic fruit, vegetables and other produce.

After acquiring the greengrocer's shop on Church Road, Smithills, in February, Sharon and husband Rupert put into practice a "buy local" philosophy for as much of their organic produce as possible, and can now boast that over half of their stock is sourced from local organic farms.

Sharon said: "Many people are turning their backs on conventional production methods and opting for a safe and local alternative. They know non-organic food is treated with chemicals, but they don't know the damage those chemicals might do to them or the environment."

They have also launched an "organic box" scheme for customers.

"We fill the boxes with tailored orders and deliver weekly," said Rupert. "In some cases the products are harvested in the morning on local organic farms and delivered fresh to the shop by lunchtime."

Business suggests they have hit a dietary need in Bolton.

"We're very busy," said Sharon. "Numbers are rising so fast that the deliveries will soon be taking three days a week."