There could be a shortage of butter and cream by Christmas, according to reports.

It has been blamed on insufficient milk being supplied by farmers.

Peder Tuborgh, chief executive of the farmer-owned dairy giant Arla said the first signs we will see will be the price of butter rising sharply, it was reported on the BBC.

The milk shortage had come about because producers cut back in 2016, in the wake of previous overproduction of milk and consequently lower prices.

But the The National Farmers' Union has rejected the comments as scaremongering.

Arla Foods brands include Anchor and Cravendale.

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