A KENDAL infant formula company is joining a group of dairy businesses from across Britain on a potentially lucrative trade mission to China.

Kendal Nutricare - which took HJ Heinz's factory off Shap Road earlier this year - is the only British infant formula milk manufacturer registered to make the product for the Chinese market.

The company is using the China trade visit to promote its Kendamil infant formula range, which is obtained from fresh pasteurised whole milk of high infant-grade quality from a local dairy in the North West.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, who is supporting the trade mission, said: “UK food has an excellent reputation the world over, and China presents a fantastic opportunity for our dairy farmers to take advantage of a growing demand for top-class British produce.

“Exports are a crucial part of growing and strengthening the dairy industry and a key part of our plan is to see new markets opened, so that the sector can become more resilient, competitive and profitable."