A LEADING British dairy farmer-owned co-operative, based in West Devon, has created seven new full-time jobs as a result of a new Innovation Centre, which was officially opened this week.

Milk Link, which is based at Taw Valley Creamery in North Tawton, and employs 112 people, opened the new centre on Tuesday.

The new £1-million facility is the central focus of its new product and packaging development activity and was opened by Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, James Paice MP.

Its opening was accompanied by the launch of three new products by the company.

Commenting on the importance of innovation in the British dairy industry, Mr Paice said: 'The past year has been tough for the dairy industry with challenging trading conditions and confidence at a low ebb.

'It is my belief that investing in innovation is the key to securing a sustainable future for the British dairy industry and I am delighted that Milk Link is doing just that with the launch of this new centre.'

Milk Link's chief executive Neil Kennedy said: 'Milk Link is committed to producing high quality, value added products which meet the needs of both our customers and shoppers. 

'In partnership with our customers, this new Innovation Centre is enabling us to research, develop and perfect products in a timely, cost-effective and risk-averse way before launching nationally.'

The company's head of innovation Matt Richards added: 'The Innovation Centre is a leading dairy facility which will enable us to work with all our key retail customers to trial new products and packaging developments, such as Tickler... Chedder That Spreads.

'Watch this space as there are more significant innovations in the pipeline which will launch soon — it really is an exciting time at Milk Link.'

One of the three new products unveiled at the opening was Tickler... Chedder That Spreads — a brand extension of the creamery's Tickler extra-mature cheddar. It is likely to be launched nationally later this year.

The centre has also developed a lighter cheese, which has 30% less fat than standard cheddar but has all the taste of its standard counterpart, say the creamery. The new cheese in a medium strength will be launched nationally in November 2009, followed by the mature variety in February 2010.

The Innovation Centre has also delivered a new addition to Milk Link's Moo ESL flavoured milk range, Chocolate Creaminess. Other developments which have already been introduced include a range of extended shelf life flavoured milks for Tesco.

The Innovation Centre is developing new processing techniques and product formulations to help deliver increased quality, taste and efficiencies. Milk Link manufactures more than 20 varieties of Cheddars, Blue Stiltons and British regional cheeses.