A CUMBRIA farmer-owned business has opened a £650,000 dairy centre.

Aspatria Farmers’ MTS Dairy Division serves more than 300 farmers, repairing and maintaining their dairy equipment.

Aspatria, one of the UK’s oldest farmer-owned cooperatives, had outgrown its former premises on Longtown Business Park, so purchased a one-acre site from its neighbours - civil engineering company R H Irving Construction.

Building work at Aspatria Farmers’ new home was backed by a £180,000 rural grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The premises features a workshop, general product area, trade counter, accommodation and meeting rooms.

Ian Bell, honorary life president at Aspatria Farmers, said it was ‘crucial’ the business invested in the best facilities to serve its members in future.