The UK's largest independent cheese producer is inviting farmers from Gloucestershire to join what it describes as its global alliance as its business continues to grow.

Somerset-based Wyke Farms plans to increase milk production by 25m litres through farmer partnerships in Gloucestershire.

Wyke Farms, also a producer of renewable energy, said it was inviting partnerships to help fulfil increased International orders and continued success in the UK.

Currently trading in over 160 countries world-wide, the export side of the family run Wyke Farms business continues to grow.

The business is looking for dairy farmers based within a 50-mile radius of its Bruton based dairy to join them, which includes businesses in Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon and Dorset.

Rich Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms, said the firm predicted benefits from a "global middle class growth and a subsequent food revolution from the East",

"By 2030 the average Chinese person is likely to be wealthier than the average American and 300 million Indians will join the middle classes. Only by joining and excelling in world trade can we build stability into the dairy sector," said Mr Clothier.

Wyke Farms has been producing its award-winning cheddar for more than 150 years and now sells more than 15,000 tonnes of cheese annually to more than 160 countries around the world.

Its products are available nationwide and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Sainsbury's Tesco and Waitrose.