Farmers' milk premium increased following blockade

The Co-operative Group says it will pay producers a total price of 29p per litre Credit: ITV West Country

One of Britain’s leading retailers says it is increasing the premium it pays farmers for their milk.

That will include Robert Wiseman Dairies. The news comes less than 24 hours after hundreds of farmers blockaded company's site in Bridgwater and other milk processing plants across the country.

Dairy farmers say they face going out of business after a second round of cuts this year in the amount they are paid for milk. It means they’re being paid less for their milk than it costs to produce it.

Hundreds of farmers blockaded the region's biggest milk processor Credit: ITV West Country

Today, The Co-operative Group said it would pay producers a total price of 29p per litre.

The move has been welcomed by the farming industry including the National Farmers Union who want other retailers to follow suit.

Farmers turned out in force to convey their anger at milk price cuts Credit: ITV West Country

The MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset, Ian Liddell-Grainger, has commended the decision by farmers to protest in Bridgwater last night.

This evening, farmers remain defiant, saying unless retailers raise the premium they pay farmers for milk dairy farmers have 'no future'.

Farmers say if the milk price cuts are not reversed more demonstrations are inevitable.