WINCHESTER MP Mark Oaten has said the Internet could hold the key to prosperity for crisis-hit farmers.

The Liberal Democrat, pictured, told a business forum in Alresford that the Internet revolution could benefit the rural economy because consumers will turn to smaller shops.

He said he believed that many people would use the Internet for bulk purchases and regular household goods, but for fresh vegetables, fruit and meat they should be encouraged to use the local butcher and grocer.

He also called on local people to do more to support community shops and to back British goods.

He said: "British meat is now the safest in the world and we should rally around and buy it.

"All too often people have no idea if they are buying meat which is not British.

"Worse still, some products carry a British sticker when they have only been packed in this country."

Mr Oaten, whose constituency home is in the country, said he blamed supermarkets for not doing more to promote British products and called for better labels on food showing the country of origin.

He said farming was at the heart of the economy and hard-pressed farmers needed more government support to survive.