The future of an award-winning farm shop is in doubt because of a four-month road closure forcing customers to take five-mile detour, its owners say.

Colin and Di Dawes, of Foxbury Farm Shop in Burford Road, Brize Norton, said it was already hitting trade.

Burford Road is closed while a link road is built to connect Carterton's new north eastern housing estate to the A40. It is not expected to re-open until the end of September.

Mr Dawes said: "A vital route to the farm has been severed by roadworks due to the closure of Burford Road for four months. This has left many customers from Carterton and nearby villages with a confusing five-mile detour plus the problem of turning right on to a very busy A40.

"We were only given a letter a few days before the barriers were erected closing the road for such a long time and this, together with confusing signs placed in the long grass so they could not be read, has reduced our trade by 25 per cent. I hope the shop can sustain this long closure and it does not force me to close permanently -- especially after the success the shop has achieved in the two years it has been open. This should be my busiest time of year.

"Even Mickey the donkey is pining as he is missing the constant attention of customers and his daily supply of carrots."

Mr and Mrs Dawes set up Foxbury Farm Shop two years ago, selling meat raised on the farm and other local produce together with a range of ready cooked meals prepared by a local chef.

Last year, the farm was named National Small Producer of the Year and also won a Government award as best meat producer.

Oxfordshire County Council's area engineer Colin Carritt said: "I do sympathise with Mr Dawes and it must be very difficult for him as if people have to go a long way round to find the farm shop they will find alternative outlets.

"Originally, the contractors wanted to close Burford Road for much longer and I dispatched a team of people to limit the amount of time it will be closed and to open it whenever possible during the work.

"We have also installed extra signs to say the farm shop is open as usual. We will press the contractors to finish the work as fast as they can."