TOTNES is looking seedy — again.

Which means purple sweetcorn and Spanish black carrots could be back on the menu.

Transition Town Totnes is holding its fourth annual seed swap at Birdwood House in Totnes High Street on Saturday.

The event has been organised alongside the Heritage Seed Library, formerly the Henry Doubleday Research Association, to pass out information about seed saving and swapping.

A TTT spokesman said: "Seed swapping preserves the traditions of growing rare and local species of vegetables and fruit which thrive in our particular local climate and conditions.

"Local growers can select for varieties which are tasty, fresh and crop over a long season. Commercial seed companies must cater for commercial growers, who want crops which look perfect, are easy to grow on a large scale, ripen all at once and have a long shelf-life."

He warned: "Nine tenths of all UK vegetable and fruit varieties have disappeared in the last century. Many smaller specialist seed companies haven't survived the pressures of the mass market, partly because of seeds being 'standardised' across the EU.

"Local varieties, like 'Mano's Gift' beans from South Brent, have turned up at previous Seedy Saturdays, as well as a huge variety of local food and flower seeds.

"So if you are looking for that local purple sweetcorn, or even rare Spanish black carrots, look no further. Heritage Seed Library seeds and local seed suppliers will all be there, supporting the conservation of local and commercially unviable varieties."

The seed swap will be going on from 11am to 3pm with an entrance fee of £1.