A farm shop and butchery based in the Meon Valley is urging families to place their Christmas meat orders in good time ahead of the Yuletide festivities, amid the nationwide bird flu outbreak. 

Turkey farmers and food retailers such as Westlands Farm Shop had feared there might be a shortage of turkey supplies due to the outbreak of bird flu across the UK. 

But the family run farm shop near Wickham has reassured customers that by placing their turkey order early, they are confident they can secure the centrepiece of Christmas dinners.

Due to the current bird flu outbreak, farmers across the UK have had to cull many of their flock, meaning there could be a much higher demand on local turkey supplies. 

Harry King, General manager at Westlands Farm Shop said they source turkeys from a local farm on Portsdown Hill and he is confident they will be able to supply turkey orders to all of their customers, as long as they place their order early. 

Harry added: "The nationwide outbreak is certainly putting pressure on turkey supplies and the demand is rising. We've seen brisk trade from people placing their Christmas meat orders in good time ahead of Christmas and have already sold over half of our festive birds.

"As long as people place their order as early as they can, we will be able to supply Christmas turkey orders to all of our customers.  

"As December approaches we will certainly see a flurry of activity as people start to finalise their Christmas day plans among their families. Because of the uncertainty on supply this year, it is more important than ever to place orders as early as you can. 

"However, if your Christmas orders change at the last minute, we will have turkeys and Christmas meat available to order up until the last few days before Christmas day. We will always be able to source something for everyone." 

Westlands Farm Shop has a wide range of Christmas meat including turkey, lamb, duck, ham, pork and more.