HUNDREDS of lots of farm equipment are coming up for sale by auction at K S Coles at Chelston as the family business embarks on a change of direction.

Auctioneer Cheffins says on its website the sale is the result of the farm deciding to stop growing swedes and peas, and ‘a change in farming policy’.

Included in the sale of more than 600 lots are nine Fendt and ten John Deere tractors, and a self-propelled swede harvester. The sale also features 50 static caravans and vehicles including minibuses, coaches, HGVs and forklifts.

Cheffins chairman Bill King said: “This family business has firm roots in Somerset and is one of the largest swede, peas and broad bean growers in the UK, supplying all major supermarkets as well as running a major arable operation.

“The family have made the decision to cease the swede-growing operation, and will now concentrate on other farm diversification projects and the arable side of the business.

“This is a major sale of a variety of equipment which is bound to generate huge amounts of interest from other farming operations, dealers and exporters.”

The Coles family have been involved in the marketing of vegetables from Somerset for over three generations, with Ken Coles starting his own enterprise in 1964, growing and selling vegetables at Covent Garden market.

Alongside his wife Christine, Ken expanded the business rapidly over the years.

The head of operations is now Paul Coles, Ken’s son, and the business is one of the UK’s market leaders in growing, harvesting, packing and supplying swedes, peas and broad beans to all major supermarkets.

The company has supplied major multiple retailers since 1970, while also supplying processors, independent retailers and wholesalers throughout European and Scandinavian markets.

The sale is on Tuesday, September 29, at Chelston House Farm, Chelston.