Sales of rice pudding made in Shropshire have risen four per cent in the last year as more people turn to comfort food to cope with the economic gloom, researchers said today.

Up to 70 workers’ jobs hang in the balance after a major client’s contract was cut back at Shropshire-based food and drink industry transport giant Culina, it has emerged today.

Union officials today said they were confident the proposed £280 million sale of Britain’s biggest fresh milk supplier to dairy giant Muller would not lead to job losses.

Farmers and politicians today reacted with caution to news Shropshire dairy giant Muller had agreed a £280 million deal to buy Britain’s biggest fresh milk supplier.

The founding family of Robert Wiseman Dairies today agreed to sell the firm to yoghurt giant Muller in a deal worth £279 million.

Farming leaders today spoke of their ‘surprise’ after Shropshire yoghurt giant Muller opened talks to take over Britain’s biggest fresh milk supplier as part of a multi-million pound deal.

Shropshire yoghurt giant Muller is in talks to take over Britain’s biggest fresh milk supplier as part of a multi-million pound collaboration, it was revealed this afternoon.

Hundreds of Shropshire people gave it some welly to raise £17,000 for charity. Market Drayton-based Robert Wiseman Dairies teamed up with Severn Hospice to organise the first ever Wiseman Welly Walk.