BUY British - that was the message from York's archbishop as he checked out some of the region's finest produce.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, was out and about yesterday on a visit to Mowbray Deanery - one of 24 that make up the Dioceses of York.

As part of his trip, his 23rd to a deanery since taking up office, he visited cheese maker Shepherds Purse, from Thirsk.

He also toured clotted cream and yoghurt manufacturers Stamfrey Farm near Northallerton; oak furniture workshops Robert Thompson's Craftsmen Ltd at Kilburn, and the Thirsk Clock - a centre in the town for young people.

Dr Sentamu said: "Mowbray Deanery has some superb examples of fresh thinking in rural and county market town communities.

"At Shepherds Purse and Stamfrey Farm there are people successfully swimming against the commercial tide by getting back in touch with their roots, while at Thompson's you see a traditional business going from strength to strength in the modern world, because it values the skill of its people. Surely our 2007 resolution ought to be to grow, eat, drink and buy British. Why? because it is the best.

Dr Sentamu was in Walmgate on Sunday preaching at a signed service for the deaf in St Denys' Church. Walmgate vicar the Rev Allan Hughes said: "We were thrilled to bits to have him. He knows that St Denys is famous for its baking and he even said that in his sermon."