Darlington Memorial Hospital is the first in the country to switch over completely to organic milk.

In a landmark deal, the hospital has signed a contract with the local Acorn Dairy as its sole supplier of organic semi-skimmed and organic full-cream milk, following a two-month trial in which the milk proved an instant hit with staff and patients alike.

Many noticed an immediate difference in the taste, and some patients even claimed their hot milky night-time drinks were now helping them sleep better.

Ron McKenzie, head of catering at the Memorial, is delighted with the contract and is a firm believer in the qualities of the organic milk.

Even though it costs slightly more than conventional milk he believes the benefits are too great to ignore.

"Value for money is more important than lowest possible cost, even in these days of tight budgets," said Mr McKenzie. "We have a duty to our patients based on improving health and well-being and, as organic milk seems to have enhanced nutritional benefits, the small increase in cost is more than justified."

He said the hospital was very pleased with the quality of the milk from Acorn Dairy and the personal and reliable service it provided.

"I would strongly encourage other hospitals to make links with local organic dairies," said Mr McKenzie.

He also likes to buy locally, which benefits the local economy and jobs.

The Memorial serves about 5,000 pints of organic milk each week - equally split between semi-skimmed and full cream - to patients, staff and visitors.

No conventional milk at all is now served at the hospital.

The deal is a huge feather in the cap of Gordon Tweddle, who took the biggest gamble of his life when he converted his farm at Archdeacon Newton to full organic status.

The hospital contract is a new and significant part of the business, equal to 22 cows' worth of milk a week, and has also led them to expand the workforce.

Acorn Dairy also supplies 2,500 doorstep customers in and around Darlington, along with a range of other outlets including farm shops and restaurants in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Mr Tweddle bid for the contract after working hard to persuade other public bodies to take organic milk.

"Acorn Dairy started off on a small scale and has gradually grown and the hospital contract has been a part of that consumer-driven organic growth," he said.

"This is a good way to work with local people and keep money and jobs in the local community.

"Our organic milk costs a little more than ordinary milk as it costs more to produce, but not by as much as you would think. This is because our farm, cows and processing plant are all in the neighbourhood, cutting out all those food road miles."

Its proximity to the Memorial - the dairy is only about two miles away - means the dairy can respond quickly to hospital requirements. The milk is also so much fresher than that brought from further afield.

New scientific evidence of the health benefits of organic milk will be revealed at the Soil Association's annual conference in Newcastle today

Recent research from Aberdeen University shows that organic milk does benefit health. It can contain up to 71pc more Omega 3 than non-organic milk. Omega 3 plays an important role in maintaining a healthy heart, supple and flexible joints, healthy growth and strong bones and teeth.

Drinking just half a pint a day of organic milk as part of a healthy balanced diet gives a useful additional source of Omega 3 fatty acid.

Acorn Dairy's processing plant was part funded through the England Rural Development Programme by the Defra and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.