Protecting the UK’s food supply chain from fraud and cyber attack should be the focus of a new ‘centre of excellence’, experts have stressed.

The challenge emerged at the latest Let's Grow workshop which saw leaders working across the food supply chain meet at the Royal Agricultural University to discuss the future of rural business and communities.

The group, chaired by the university's vice chancellor Prof Joanna Price, heard the findings of consultant Martin Collison who was commissioned to analyse the value of farming, food and drink in Gloucestershire.

Mr Collison found potential for the county, already the home of GCHQ, to lead in digital security in the supply of food.

He said: "As the food chain goes online the cyber security issue comes to the fore. Gloucestershire has the chance to grasp this.

"The food chain is changing and cyber security will be needed as digitalisation impacts right along the supply chain.

"Bringing the two together is something Gloucestershire could do as well as anywhere in the world.

"It will be in demand, let’s build on it and drive it forward."