A family-run farming business will launch a recruitment drive to hire up to 70 staff members across the South West.

Yeo Valley will hire workers to keep up with demand across its distribution centres - including two in Blagdon and Highbridge.

The Blagdon-based company's talent manager hopes the drive can boost the area's economy.

Weston Mercury: Production and manufacturing job opportunities are available at Yeo Valley.Production and manufacturing job opportunities are available at Yeo Valley. (Image: Yeo Valley)

Sam Ford said: “Yeo Valley Production has been rooted in Somerset for decades now and it is fantastic that we can create significant employment opportunities for the local economy and support the community and area we love.

"Our colleagues are truly part of the family.

"It is important to us that everyone who works for us shares in the overall success of the business."

The roles will be in Yeo Valley's production and manufacturing departments and primarily permanent with pay rates having been upped recently to £10 to £13 per hour.

The company's Blagdon factory has featured in BBC's Inside the Factory series - in which Masterchef judge, Gregg Wallace gets a first-hand look at how Yeo Valley makes its produce.

Weston Mercury: Yeo Valley will increase the number of open days at its farm and factory this year.Yeo Valley will increase the number of open days at its farm and factory this year. (Image: Charles Emerson)

Factory worker Michelle Edwards explained some of the varying roles in her job.

Mrs Edwards said: "It changes on a day-to-day basis as I move around different departments in the factory.

"One day I could be working on a small Hitpak machine packing small pots of yoghurt and the next I could be in the special secure area separate to the main factory where we use nut products.

"I love that I get to work with and get to know so many different people.”

Weston Mercury: Yeo Valley employee, Robert Chiosa in the company's factory which appeared on BBC's Inside the Factory.Yeo Valley employee, Robert Chiosa in the company's factory which appeared on BBC's Inside the Factory. (Image: Yeo Valley)

A spokesman for the farm also told the Mercury that it hopes to host skilled operator open days in the future to entice workers.

They added: "All applicants will need to have good communication and numeracy skills, be capable of working in a physically demanding role and a strong commitment to maintaining high cleaning and hygiene standards."

To apply for a role at either Blagdon or Highbridge distribution centres or to attend an open day, log on to www.careers.yeovalley.co.uk