FAMILY-RUN pork producers in Ayrshire have secured a deal with supermarket chain Morrisons, as Robertson's Fine Foods of Ayrshire will now see its products stocked in 35 stores across Scotland.

Following a call from customers to supply more food and drink made and produced 'just down the road' from their communities, Morrisons first announced the search for local food and drink makers in February and will now stock produce such as pork sausages, pork chipolatas and cracked black pepper sausages, all of which are made from Scottish Farm Assured and Scottish SPCA approved pork.

The company, which was established in 1870, is one of Scotland's largest daughter and bacon producers, employing 90 people at the two sites in Irvine and Ardrossan, and the deal is worth £50,000 to the firm in its first year.

Barry Robertson, head of commercial and the fifth generation of Robertson’s Fine Foods of Ayrshire, said: “Our Scotland-wide listing with Morrisons is a huge win for Robertson’s and a fantastic way to round off a busy 2017.

“Our range of sausages is underpinned by craft butchery skills and traditional recipes that have been handed down through five generations of the Robertson family.

“However, it’s our partnership with Scottish pig farmers that we are most proud of. Working in this way enables us to support other family businesses throughout the supply chain while offering full traceability and quality to our customers.”

Chris Beckingham, Morrisons local solutions manager, added: “Our customers tell us they want to see more food and drink produced locally in our stores and our foodmakers programme aims to do just that. Sourcing more local food and reducing the distance food travels is a priority for Morrisons so we’re delighted that Robertson’s Fine Foods of Ayrshire is going to be stocked in some of our local stores.”