Lactalis McLelland, the supplier of Seriously cheese, has recruited 20 more farmers from the south west of Scotland and Cumbria to supply milk from next month.

The Caledonian Cheese Company, an arm of Lactalis McLelland, had already added 110 farms in the past year to its direct supply, providing more than 195 million litres of milk annually to feed its growing UK and export markets. It will offer suppliers a nutritional advice service and finance options, as well as a competitive milk price.

"Farmers want to work with us, they see the benefits of the way we work by not tying them to onerous contracts," said Matthew Glover, industrial director.