ONE of Colchester’s best-known farmers will make his primetime TV debut on BBC’s Countryfile this Sunday.

Peter Fairs and his son, Andrew, were interviewed on camera by stalwart presenter John Craven at his Great Tey farm about two of his niche crops.

The camera crew spent a day gathering footage ahead of their programme which will focus on Essex.

Mr Fairs spoke about borage and chia crops which have proved successful for him.

He said: “I am looking forward to seeing it.

“I am always a trifle nervous as to how you performed and whether the story came over as you meant it to but they were very pleasant - I think they have been fair.”

Mr Fairs spoke highly of Mr Craven, who even tasted a chia seed truffle on camera.

He added: “It is always nice to meet these people face to face. He is very articulate when he goes in front of the camera.”

Mr Fairs and his son have long tried producing unusual crops which don’t normally grow in this country due to the climate.

A more recent success has been chia, which usually grows in Australia and South America and is increasing in popularity as the seeds are a vegan-friendly substitute for egg when cooking.

The seeds are also considered to be a high energy food so can be sprinkled on breakfast cereals or yoghurts.

Chia oil can also be used for food supplements and it is even being used by cosmetics company, Elemis.

Mr Fairs, 74, said: “We bought seeds from parts of the world and got it to flower in July - when we had a 16-hour day of sunlight.

“That means it can harvest in September. Last year was the first commercial crop in the UK.”

Borage has been also grown at the farm for more than 30 years.

Its oil is used for capsules, or is used to enrich evening primrose oil capsules, to help with body metabolism, and is also used in skin creams.