MILK Link, the Plymouth-based farmer co-operative which recently acquired Okehampton?s Peninsula Milk, has bought a controlling share in Glanbia Foods, which has a creamery at North Tawton.

The deal will establish a new joint venture company which will be the second largest cheese-making business in the UK.

The deal ensures the future of 200 jobs at the Taw Valley creamery at North Tawton, which produces medium cheddar cheese and whey powder.

Taw Valley cheddar has a well-established reputation for quality, having won more than 330 awards in the last ten years.

The two firms are setting up a joint venture company ? Cheese Company Holdings Ltd (CCH) ? to serve the UK cheese market.

It will operate four cheese processing facilities of which the North Tawton works is the largest as well as a consumer packing facility in Great Britain. It will employ a total workforce of around 1,000 people.

This latest move follows Milk Link?s acquisition of Okehampton-based Peninsula Milk last month.

Barry Nicholls, Milk Link chief executive, said: ?We are delighted to have agreed this joint venture with Glanbia, which confirms Milk Link?s position as the UK?s premier farmer-owned integrated dairy business.?

Mr Nicholls said North Tawton was in Milk Link?s heartland and the joint venture company would add value to up to 80% of their members? milk.