JAMIE OLIVER has officially opened his best friend's farmshop near Ipswich.The Essex celebrity chef grew up with owner of the Essex Pig Company Jim Doherty and despite the company name, it is based in the middle of Suffolk.

JAMIE OLIVER has officially opened his best friend's farmshop near Ipswich.

The Essex celebrity chef grew up with owner of the Essex Pig Company Jim Doherty and despite the company name, it is based in the middle of Suffolk.

Located at Pannington Hall Farm in Wherstead, Jamie Oliver said the site was chosen because of its geographical similarities with the neighbouring county.

He said: "Jimmy wanted to do the Essex pig and it has been around in this area for many hundreds of years. The landscape is good, Suffolk and Essex are almost like brother and sister."

When Jim Doherty moved to the site in spring last year a lot of work needed doing. Jamie compared this with his television project Jamie's Kitchen where 15 unemployed youngsters were trained up to work in a top London restaurant.

He said: "He is passionate and mad. He has been through the same as what I went through last year. This has gone from a shack to a farm.

"He is making a living out of these pigs.

"He will be creating a local event every two weeks. I can see this turning into a regular and bustlier thing. It's in a great catchment area."

With a barn selling local produce including cakes, pate and dairy products, the market section of the company is set to benefit many local farmers.

Jim said: "The farmer's market is working well. There are local producers and some of my other favourites.

"Our products are slightly more expensive but they are welfare friendly and living outside it costs twice as much to feed them. They are also rare breeds and have smaller litters."