Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) has announced plans to close dairies in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Fole Dairy near Uttoxeter, Staffs, with the loss of 640 jobs.

It is also proposing the rationalisation of distribution depots in Portsmouth, Cheshunt, Leeds and Lincoln. Some jobs will also go in a reorganisation at the head office in Nantwich, Cheshire.
DFB, a co-operative of more than 2,000 farmers, is blaming rising costs over the past year and financial under-performance by the dairies.