SHOPPERS in Leyburn can now purchase fresh pasteurised milk with the cream on top, with the introduction of a milk vending machine.

Available at Campbell’s of Leyburn, it was developed by The Home Farmer that is based in Aysgarth, so the milk only travels eight miles from cows to the shelves. Customers can also purchase their own personal glass bottles in store that once used can be refilled whenever they are in the shop as the vending machine dispenses the fresh milk directly into them. There are two sizes of bottles, one litre and half a litre.

Customers may purchase a loyalty key that will load credit for future use, which saves time at the checkout. This introduction of glass bottles helps the environment by reducing plastic waste.

The milk is pasteurised but is otherwise unprocessed, so the cream still settles on top. The farm also makes a popular cheese called Old Roan which is stocked by Campbell’s.

More adventurous customers and younger shoppers can also create their own milk shakes by adding any of three regular flavours: strawberry, chocolate and banana from a shot dispenser.

Kath Campbell, of Campbell’s of Leyburn, said: “This is a fantastic idea where our customers can get fresh milk direct from the farm.

“We are happy to support the Home Farmer and we see this being a great product for our customers; the milk shakes are fantastic by the way.”

Home Farmer is owned and run by brothers Ben and Adam Spence along with Ben’s wife Sam and their parents David and Susan. The team maintain high standards of animal welfare amongst their 100 cows that graze outside on the hills of Wensleydale.

Ben Spence said: “Campbell’s is a brilliant supermarket for finding high quality local food. We love the way they support local businesses and we’re delighted that they want to stock our fresh milk.”