CRICKETER Farm has announced that it is to cease cheesemaking in early 2016 due to "challenging times in the dairy industry".

The Farm at Nether Stowey is consulting its workforce about stopping making and packing cheese.

The Farm has suffered significant financial losses over the last financial year, and they say it is not viable to continue with such uncertainty.

They say it’s due to the turmoil in the global dairy industry due to the oversupply of milk products and the strong pound, devaluing UK exports.

The farm has also lost supply to a major customer, staring in January 2016 which they say is integral to the decision to stop production.

A spokesperson added: "Over the past couple of years the Cricketer Farm team have tried to develop more ‘added value’ opportunities to complement their own label products with the launch of the Cheeky Cow brand and penetrating new sectors such as foodservice and exports.

"However they have been unable to grow these areas quickly enough to ensure a sustainable future.

"Market volatility has forced the UK dairy market into a period of uncertainty and consolidation, which is reshaping the industry to be dominated by international dairy powerhouses, focussed on global strategies.

"This makes it impossible for a business like Cricketer Farm to look ahead with confidence and having suffered significant financial losses over the last financial year, it is not viable to continue with such uncertainty.

"The Cricketer Farm directors are forced into this conclusion as they see no realistic prospect of cheese prices being at sufficient level to provide satisfactory returns to both processor and farmers.

"Cricketer Farm directors are committed to managing the closure diligently and sensitively. They will focus on providing as much support and advice as possible to employees and supplying farmers.

"Many of the local workforce have been at Cricketer Farm for decades and have been extremely loyal and hard working.

"Directors will help staff to identify new opportunities throughout the phased exit from the cheese industry.

"Cricketer Farm will also standby commitments in the contracts with supplying milk producers and hope to identify alternative supply opportunities wherever possible.

"All contracts and commitments will be fulfilled and it is being proposed that all operations will cease in early 2016.

"The closure is subject to consultation with employees and all employees were fully briefed on these plans on August 25."