A SOUTH Devon firm says the recession has seen the seed market boom as consumers try to grow their own fruit and veg.

Paignton-based Sutton Seeds says consumers' changing habits and rising financial hardship are responsible for the booming sales in vegetable seeds.

The firm says that while five years ago, 60 per cent of sales were for flower seeds and 40 per cent were for vegetable seeds, it is now reverse.

Sutton Seeds's marketing coordinator Francijn Suermondt said: "Seventy per cent of our production is for veg. Our top five best sellers are carrots, lettuces, peas, tomatoes and beetroots.

"Although changing habits has been gradual, the credit crunch has speeded things up. It's really helped with sale of seeds."

She added: "We've gone full circle. People are going back to traditional food.

"Customers realise how much things cost in the supermarket and they can save money by growing their own.

"A packet of red gem lettuces cost £1.55 and gives you a yield of 120 lettuces. To buy the same number in a supermarket would cost you £30."

Mrs Suermondt said an average yield of 350 carrots from a pack of £2.85 seeds would cost £28 in a supermarket.

The company, which moved to Paignton 10 years ago, is part of the international group Vilmorin, which is the largest packet seed distributors in the world.

It now employs 180 people at the Paignton head offices and at its trial ground in Ipplepen.

Mrs Suermondt added: "We still have our traditional customers but we've seen new younger, more urban ones.

"People now realise they don't need large gardens to grown their own vegetables. They can do it on their patio."

This year, the company launched its Fun to Grow range for children to encourage youngsters to get into gardening from an early age.