EXMOOR'S first blueberry farm saw the fruits of its labour go on sale this week as the picking of the maiden harvest got underway.

But for Sarah and Simon Keily, who have driven the innovative project at Sharcott Farm in Exford, the culmination of a three-year dream has been overshadowed by the financial collapse of the main buyer of the estimated 1.8-ton crop.

The couple heard just a week ago that the UK-based soft fruit company AMS-Wellpict European was filing for administration and would not be able to take any of their blueberries.

"We were absolutely devastated as we had been talking to them for over a year and they had said they would take about 80 per cent of the crop," Sarah told the Free Press.

"They were also going to lend us around 300 crates for transportation and we had geared our punnet sizes to fit them.

"We're now in the situation of begging or borrowing any crates we can, as well as literally phoning around and talking to any potential customers

"We had always intended to supply some to local shops, restaurants and outlets, as well as offering 'pick your own', but filling the gap left by the last minute withdrawal of AMS is a major blow."

But it isn't the first challenge that Sarah, 50 and Simon, 51, have faced since deciding to diversify their 65-acre farm and flock of Exmoor Horn sheep.

They plumped on growing blueberries - one of the most popular 'superfoods' in the UK, claimed to lower cholesterol and protect against a range of diseases - three years ago.

A decade ago Simon, then a consultant in the telecommunications industry, had become interested in growing the fruit and experimented with just eight plants, strategically positioned on land at Sharcott to test the best location for what he hoped one day would become a profitable enterprise.

Blueberries like an acid soil and plenty of water, both of which are in abundance at Sharcott - as well as sunshine to ripen the berries - a commodity possibly in shorter supply.

In 2006 they planted their first crop and were hit by drought, losing around 250 plants.

Knowing that it takes between two and four years to produce fruit, Sarah and Simon were definitely in for the long haul.

But two years ago Simon decided to give up the consultancy job that had bolstered the income from their sheep and devote himself entirely to the venture.

The couple had hoped to harvest their first crop last year but three late frosts and an infestation of slugs put paid to that aspiration.

With the banks refusing to lend any more funds, Sarah and Simon and their three children aged 21, 20 and 15, had to carry on with very limited resources.

This year's crop on just over 12 acres and including half a dozen different varieties, is looking good.

But now they are facing a race against time to sell what they pick over the relatively short seven-week harvest.

Simon said: "We're depending on shops, restaurants and the public buying from us direct.

"If we don't succeed then much of the crop will go to waste and we will be fighting for the future of the farm."

Sharcott has been the family's home since 1997, when Simon fulfilled a dream to return to Exford, where he had spent his 'sandwich' year while studying at Seal Hayne agricultural college in Devon in the late 1970s.

Both he and Sarah were born and brought up in Kenya and yearned to live somehow that replicated the space and the dark night skies of East Africa.

"Simon had always yearned to go back into agriculture and was fed up with commuting as a consultant, which meant he was away from Sharcott during the week," said Sarah.

"Diversifying into blueberries has been an incredible challenge and such a long hard slog.

"Everybody in Exford thought we were mad when they knew what we were doing but at the same time they have been incredibly supportive."

A trial pick just over a week ago was quickly snapped up by local shops and restaurants and Sarah and Simon value the loyalty of their local community, including White Horse Inn owner Peter Hendrie who has offered a range of help and is also buying the Sharcott blueberries on a regular basis.

"Blueberries have been increasing in popularity in the UK as a proven superfood, but until now people have had to rely largely on imports and they lose taste and goodness in near direct relation to the air miles they travel," said Sarah.

"We are determined to get through this. We believe there is demand for good, locally grown produce straight off the bush.

"Some people in this part of the country won't have had access to blueberries before and we think they are in for a treat."

Details of blueberry sales and opening times for 'pick your own' sessions are available on 01643 831520 or 07980 639567.