A WATERCRESS manufacturer is in talks with local primary schools about developing their curriculum to include the area's biggest export.

Following its success with Sun Hill Junior School, Alresford Salads wants to bring on other schools to take part in its annual salad making competition which has now been running for three years.

The firm, which has 180 employees, hopes the competition will give local school children from Preston Candover, Ropley and Cheriton, the chance to get to know the growing and manufacturing process which has taken place at the site on the road to Bighton for over 200 years.

The scheme - which also includes a guided tour of the factory and cookery workshops - has proved so successful for Sun Hill it now forms part of their food curriculum.

The aim is to help children not only learn about the area's heritage but also to understand different leaf varieties and develop their teamwork and creativity skills.

It forms part of the long-term 'growing together' programme currently being developed by the company which also includes Sun Hill Infants, local secondary school, Perins, for work experience placements and later apprenticeships for local college students.

Owned by Bakkavor, the watercress supplier produced 42 million bags for local retailers last year, including Tesco, Waitrose and the Co-op, consisting of mixed and single-leaf bags which also contain rocket and spinach.

The firm's revenue for last year was £28 million in the year to December.

Operations manager, Steve Turner, who has worked for the company for 19 years, said: "Building on the success of our school farm tours, cookery workshops and salad competition we are launching a unique 'growing together' programme involving young people throughout the key stages of their education. As a business we are passionate about sustaining the watercress heritage of the area, supporting the food curriculum in schools and promoting the fantastic opportunities available within food manufacturing today."