A North Yorkshire company which supplies UK caterers, retailers and mail order customers with venison starts production at a new purpose-built factory in Sherburn-in Elmet.

The £750,000 investment means Holme Farmed Venison is doubling its staff from 15 to 30 as the new factory allows managing director and owner Nigel Sampson to triple output over the next five years.

The new building, part of the latest phase of the Enterprise Park in Sherburn-in-Elmet, was necessary because the company outgrew the Boston Spa premises from which it has operated for the past eight years.

Mr Sampson, a farmer who diversified into the venison supply business, not only processes his own deer but also provides the focal point for many other Yorkshire game farmers.

Apart from deer, the factory's range includes organic beef, lamb, cured hams and bacon, wild boar and ostrich.

He said: "Increasing awareness of healthy eating and the fact that venison is a very low fat red meat, has led to our business growing in recent times."

Updated: 09:34 Tuesday, November 23, 2004