A YOUNG farmer has become the first in Cheshire to produce clotted cream.

Henry Cooke, 23, wants his cream to rival famed products from Cornwall and Devon after setting up Clotton Hall Dairy on his parents’ farm, near Tarporley.

After taking business and marketing masterclasses run by Reaseheath College’s European Regional Development Fund, he says he’s now ready to challenge to status quo.

“Almost all of the clotted cream in the country comes from Cornwall or Devon and we want to challenge that,” Henry said.

“We’ve seen a gap in the market here in the north west and we think that we can produce a product that can compete.

“We want to supply the whole of Cheshire and the north west with clotted cream and really show off the quality produce that we have here.

“We have a herd of 200 Jersey, Danish Red and Holstein Friesian cows on the farm and it’s that mix of breeds and variety in the milk that makes our cream so special.

“Our cream is also going to be much fresher than cream that’s coming from the south and that’s going to be a big selling point for us.”

Henry is now targeting farm shops across the north west as well as restaurants.

Clotton Hall Dairy has also been able to test its products at Reaseheath’s food centre ahead of the business launch.

Janet Nuzum, ERDF business advisor at Reaseheath, said: “There’s nothing more satisfying for us than to see a young entrepreneur take their big idea and turn it into a real business.

“What Henry has achieved is fantastic and we’re delighted to have had the chance to support him and help launch Clotton Hall Dairy.

“Farming is an incredibly competitive industry, and as Henry knows only too well, farmers are dealing with enormous challenges and external pressures.

“It’s brilliant to see a young farmer working so hard to diversify a farm’s offering like this and I’m sure he and his business have a bright future.”

Henry added: “So much work has gone into reaching this point but we couldn’t have got here without the support of the team at Reaseheath.

“The support they have given us has been so valuable.”