TWO County Durham brothers have helped fast food chain McDonald's win a national award for its use of free range eggs.

Twins David and Peter Maughan, who farm 435 acres between them at Morton Tinmouth and Denton Grange respectively, moved into free range egg production four years ago.

They now have 16,500 Hyline birds, divided among three hen houses at the farms, adding to the cattle and arable crop sides of the business.

They supply more than 15,000 eggs a day to Deans Foods which, in turn, supply 11 McDonald's restaurants in the region with 1,550 of their eggs every day.

McDonald's uses free range eggs in its entire breakfast menu and its contribution to the cause has been recognised with a Good Egg Award presented by the national Free Range Egg Producers' Association.

The standards for the awards are set by Freedom Foods, part of the RSPCA.

David Maughan, who is also this year's county chairman of the National Farmers' Union for the North Riding and Durham, said: "It's good that companies like McDonald's recognise that people are looking for more welfare-friendly products. People are far more concerned about the welfare of animals used in food production these days."

The eggs are produced to the British Lion code and the operation is monitored by the RSPCA. Every bird is vaccinated against disease, particularly salmonella.

"It's reassuring for the public to know that we have to conform to very high standards," said Mr Maughan. "We have yearly inspections from the RSPCA as well as the occasional spot check."

The business is a truly family affair. David Maughan's son, William, works full-time on the farm, while his wife Lorna and daughter Jane help out on a part-time basis.

The demand for free range eggs has grown from a 16pc share of the market four years ago to 25pc today.

Mr Maughan said: "It has meant a lot more physical day-to-day work but, in terms of output, it has become more than the third leg of our business stool. As the economical performance of the cattle and crop side has declined, free range egg production has become the main part of the business."