A CHEESE manufacturer has announced the start of its factory expansion works.

Lubborn Cheese Ltd, based in Cricket St Thomas, near Chard, shared the news on social media saying construction “has officially begun”.

The message from Melhuish & Saunders company read: “Construction has officially begun on the new factory expansion project at Lubborn Cheese Ltd in Chard.

“The team is hard at work building an extension to the existing factory, and we’re committed to maintaining our high standards of care and consideration in this live factory environment.

“This expansion includes a steel frame structure, concrete foundations, and a floor slab.

“We can’t wait to share more key milestones with you as the project progresses.”

Lubborn Cheese Ltd can now increase the size of its production floorspace at Manor Farm by around 374 square metres.

In August 2022, a planning application was submitted with the aim of giving the company “additional production area for a specific element of the cheese-making process”.

Lubborn Cheese supplies supermarkets including Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Coop, Morrisons, and M&S.

The business started trading in 1982 and moved to Cricket St Thomas from Crewkerne around 20 years later.

It has been part of the Lactalis Group since 2009. The factory makes mould-ripened soft cheese, including brie and camembert.