FOREIGN Secretary and Richmond MP William Hague paid a visit to an ice cream factory to mark the company’s 25th anniversary.

Mr Hague was shown around the R&R Ice Cream factory, in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, which has a production capacity of 130 million litres a year.

He also took a look at the site’s £2.5m waste treatment plant which has reduced the use of chemicals in the cleaning process. Welcoming Mr Hague, chief executive James Lambert said: “I am delighted the minister could be part of our celebrations.

“It was a great opportunity for him to see the business.

“We could also explain the major contribution this company makes to the economic activity of both this region and, increasingly, mainland Europe as well.”

The business, which turns over £500m across Europe, recently acquired Rolland, a French manufacturer, making it the second-largest ice cream company in British, French and German supermarkets.

Mr Hague said: “The team at Leeming Bar has been the driving force behind this expansion.

They are to be congratulated for their initiative, commitment and business skills in building a company with such a track record of success.”