A POPULAR farm-based ice cream business has revealed plans to double production to 1m litres a year.

Brymor Real Dairy Ice Cream has also announced a new marketing drive specifically aimed at getting its 40 flavours into more farm shops, independent retailers, and on "local shelves" in supermarkets throughout Yorkshire and the North-East.

The current Guernsey dairy herd of 100 milkers and 100 followers will be enlarged to provide more of its rich whole milk which, mixed with double cream, gives the ice cream its unique creaminess.

The plans were revealed at a Welcome to Yorkshire networking event held at its base at High Jervaulx Farm, near Masham, on Monday. About 100 businesses and farmers attended the event which included a tour of the parlour where the ice cream is made.

Founders Brian and Brenda Moore arrived with their Guernsey cows to the farm in Lower Wensleydale in 1984.

They built a manufacturing plant and parlour and opened a cafe which today attracts more than 300,000 visitors a year.

Mr and Mrs Moore both died in 2011 and their son Robert and his wife, and grand-daughter, Nicola, took over.

Sadly, Robert died last year and the farm and business were put up for sale as separate entities.

Local businessman Paul Hodgson bought the ice cream business – "because I love ice cream" he told Monday's event – and appointed Nicola Moore as operations director.

Mr Hodgson said: "I loved the opportunity when it came along, Brymor is a fantastic brand and is regarded with a lot of affection by people."

The herd is one of the top three Guernsey herds in the country and Mr Hodgson said the welfare of the cows was of paramount importance. They now graze at Tim Gibson's farm at Hackforth, near Bedale, and the milk is delivered daily to High Jervaulx.

The young stock graze on Mr Hodgson's farm near Catterick and everything is done to give them the best start in life.

As part of the new marketing drive, they are to show at the All England Calf Show in Malvern, at next year's Great Yorkshire Show, and a few other shows such as Wensleydale and Nidderdale.

Mr Hodgson said the plans mean that now all the milk the herd produces will go into making Brymor ice cream and clotted cream.

"We have an absolutely fantastic team of people, the milk is special and the ice cream is really special," he said.

Richard Darbishire, national accounts manager, said Brymor is already in Waitrose and the Co-op and hopes to appear in the local produce sections in the other main supermarkets in the region.

It also wants to feature in more independent retailers and farm shops throughout Yorkshire and the North East.

New packaging and branding is being launched, as well as point of sale material. Brymor does not have national aspirations, but wants to be more dominant in Yorkshire and the North-East.

Retailers or businesses interested in Brymor should contact James Ashford, marketing and business development, on 01677 460337.