FAMILY-owned sausage and burger maker Heck is investing £3.5m to expand its 'Sausage World' in Bedale.

The company, founded by the Keeble family in 2015, says the expansion will allow production of up to one million sausages daily, helping it achieve its goal of turning over £100m by 2025.

It will create 20 jobs both in the factory and in the show team.

A 'vertical farm' has also been installed onsite, growing herbs and vegetables for Heck products as the firm sets its sights on the vegan and snack products.

Co-founder Jamie Keeble said: “We’re one of the last independent businesses in the UK sausage industry, and our great taste and hands-on approach has made us the number one premium brand."

He added: “We’re also really excited by the installation of the vertical farm on site – it’s literally a world first.

"We are farmers turned producers, my brother and grandad still farm the 800 acres around the HECK HQ and they are fascinated as the unit are the future of farming. We will be the first food brand in the world to grow herb and vegetables onsite to put into our popular meat and vegan Italia range."