THE UK dairy industry must develop new products and brands, an expert has warned.

Last year, the UK imported dairy products worth £900m more than it exported - a figure that has nearly doubled since 2000.

Ken Boynes, head of economics at the Milk Development Council, said product innovation offered huge opportunities.

As much as 37 per cent of cheese eaten in the UK is imported high-value speciality cheese.

Mr Boynes said: "The British dairy industry needs to make the most of markets such as this and develop the right products for it."