A businessman who sells purple cauliflowers and white carrots has written to Sir Alan Sugar in a last-ditch bid to save his struggling organic vegetable business.

Jim Lawlor is hoping to take a leaf out of the millionaire businessman's book and turn his company into a flourishing success.

"Times have been hard during the recession," said the 41-year-old, who runs Organic Trail with his wife Karen from their Deanshanger home.

The couple ventured into organic foods before most people had heard of the term and opened a shop on Newport Pagnell's Poets estate 11 years ago.

"Then the supermarkets came along and priced us out of the market – despite the fact that our produce was all organic, home-produced and tasted better," said Jim.

Now they concentrate on delivering weekly boxes of seasonal farm veg to their customers' doors.

Ranging in price from £14 to £19, the boxes invariably contain a few surprises – such as the coloured cauliflowers.

"We have purple cauliflowers, orange cauliflowers and Romanesque cauliflowers, which are strange prickly things but taste delicious.

"We also have purple carrots, white carrots and even black kale... The variety of organic produce is immense," said Jim.

But since the recession business has dwindled and now the Lawlors fear they may be forced to throw in the trowel.

Their children, aged between seven and 14, are all digging in to help, but still the future looks gloomy.

"Alan Sugar is an expert. We're just hoping he can give us a spot of advice that can help us keep providing this service to our customers," said Jim.

"I told him we're willing to work as hard as it takes and as long as we have to, just to convince people that organic is best."

Anyone interested in Jim's organic goodies can find out more at www.organictrail.co.uk or by clicking here.

And to speak to Jim, give him a call on MK 568952.