A family dairy which has boasted about only using milk from their farm has been permitted to use milk from other farms.

Alston Dairies has been a long-standing business which uses its own milk from the farm to produce its yoghurts which are sold across the country.

The business, which is based on Preston Road, Longridge, has now been allowed to use milk from other farms if needed, with the business saying it has seen a ‘significant growth in production’.

The dairy has had to comply with the condition that all milk for business use is to be produced from livestock on the farm and that none can be imported.

The company say that they will for now continue to use their own milk, but that they have asked for the condition to be lifted so if there were any issues on the farm with the milk, they can import as a 'back up' and continue production.

Ann Forshaw bought Bolton Fold Farm in 1980, producing yoghurt which was sold to local supermarkets.

A purpose-built dairy was completed in 1999 which allowed the business to continue growing, with them continuing to use milk only from the farm.

Since then the business has grown dramatically, selling award-winning products and they say that the business is ‘no longer a small family affair’.

A statement in the planning application reads: “The dairy has grown in production and success and is no longer a small family affair.

“Limiting the supply of milk from a sole provider does not make sound business sense for the dairy, providing a lack of flexibility nor does it comply with current planning policy relating to the conditions test.”

Ribble Valley Council has approved the planning application with the condition that ‘no raw materials, finished or unfinished products or parts, crates, materials, waste, refuse or any other item shall be stacked or stored outside any building on the site without the prior approval in writing’.