Twenty jobs are set to go at the Lake District Creamery at Aspatria.

Bosses of farmer-owned dairy co-operative, First Milk, have now begun a 30-day consultation period with the affected staff in the production, technical and engineering departments.

A spokesman for First Milk said the jobs at Aspatria with a further 10 at their Haverfordwest Creamery, are being made to 'improve the productivity and efficiency' of these sites.

According to First Milk chief executive, Shelagh Hancock, the job cuts will not affect the hundreds of dairy farmers who supply milk to Aspatria, and will lead to more money in farmer members pockets.

Around £25m has been invested in the Aspatria creamery over the past five years, including a refurbishment of the cheese production facility.

"We have already briefed trade unions and have committed to working closely and constructively with them over the coming weeks and months," said Ms Hancock.

"We have made significant capital investments at our manufacturing sites over the last few years. These investments will continue, as the amount of cheese that we are manufacturing will increase next year, and is forecast to grow further in the future in line with demand from our customer base," she added.

First Milk is the UK's only major dairy company, 100 percent owned by British farmers.