WITH summer just around the corner Lacock Dairy Farm is intent on making the most of the season with its relatively new business venture – ice-cream.

In the year since specialist machines were installed at Selves Farm, nine flavours have already been produced and word about the new product has started to spread in the local area.

The new business entity has been formed by friends Jane Lear, Tony Doel and Graeme McFaull who use milk produced at the farm to give their product a unique taste.

“We’ve got quite a lot in the pipeline but November to February aren’t great months for selling ice-cream,” said Mrs Lear.

“There’s lots of mass producers and we don’t want to take on the world, we just want a slice of Wiltshire.

“We put as little in terms of additives in and we like to think we are at the top end.”

Lacock Dairy Farm itself has been farmed by four generations of the Doel family since 1913 and last year 2.2million litres of milk were produced by 280 cows.

The farm, currently run by Chris Doel and son Alex, is also part of the Selkley Vale Herd which stretches across Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire and contains 95 farmers who produce milk for Cadbury chocolate.

The milk from the farm is considered some of the sweetest in the UK due to the soil, grass and water in the area, and is one of the unique selling points of the ice-cream.

At the moment 200 litres of ice-cream can be produced in one batch but plans are afoot to try and expand the operation and possibly hire a few members of staff from the local area.

The new brand of ice-cream has already been well received, with several local businesses stocking the item including award-winning butchers, Walter Rose and Son of Devizes.

“We are so pleased that Walter Rose is now stocking our ice cream – they are the perfect fit for us,” added Mrs Lear.

“It’s great to be involved with a business that is serious about excellent food – and it’s going to be fun working with them.

“Peter Self at the Whitehall Garden Centre has been so supportive of local businesses as well and he was one of the first people we went to.

“I think it’s nice if you can buy from your neighbours.”