SCORES of customers were treated to a tour of the farm where their organic milk comes from.

Acorn Dairy opened its doors over a three-day event to thank doorstep customers for their support and reinforce the benefits of going organic.

Visitors to the farm at Archdeacon Newton, near Darlington, saw the dairy’s new cowshed, which features automatic hairbrushes, foot-baths and memory foam mattresses.

Up to 200 dairy shorthorn crosses will be housed in the new facility providing an additional 1.3 million litres of milk a year for doorstep and commercial customers across the region, from Tyne and Wear to Yorkshire.

More than 3,000 doorstep customers are supplied, as well as Co-operative Stores across Yorkshire, Morrisons and Waitrose regionally, the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, schools and a host of farm shops and caterers.

Eighteen years after becoming organic, the latest expansion will see a herd almost 500-strong at the main farm in Archdeacon Newton.

An additional 400 acres has been secured next door for grazing and silage, which, over the next two years, is being converted to organic, free from chemical feeds and pesticides. An RSPB nest box programme, that is already flourishing at Acorn Dairy, will be extended to the new land.

When not grazing outdoors, the cows will be in the new shed where the temperature will be kept to the optimum 12 degrees, the LED lighting will be maintained at a daylight equivalent of 200 lux for 16 hours a day, and where stock can feed, drink and lie down in comfort in perfectly proportioned stalls.

Visitors were also treated to a tractor ride around the farm to see where the cows graze and the farm’s wildlife wetlands.

Caroline Bell, Acorn director, said: "Not many people can say they have seen the actual cows who produce the milk that ends up on their doorsteps but our customers can.

"We remain passionate about the benefits of being organic, to animal welfare and to the quality of the produce. We love sharing this passion with our loyal customers and we were thrilled so many took up our invitation to have a look round the farm."