A NORTH-EAST hospital will today become the first in the country to ditch ordinary milk for the organic variety.

Bosses at Darlington Memorial Hospital have signed a deal with an organic dairy after receiving positive feedback from patients during a two-month trial.

The hospital believes the nutritional benefits of drinking organic milk could boost patients' health and aid their recovery.

Head of catering Ron McKenzie said: "Research has shown that of all the organic produce on the market, milk probably has the most health benefits.

"It's rich in omega 3 oils, which is good for your joints and heart. The patients really seemed to enjoy it and I think it gives them a boost."

The family-run Acorn Dairy, at Archdeacon Newton, on the edge of Darlington, will supply the hospital with 5,000 pints of organic milk every week.

Mr McKenzie said the extra expense was worth paying.

He said: "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."

Research from Aberdeen University found that organic milk contained 71 per cent more omega 3 oils than ordinary milk and other health-promoting benefits.

Some patients claimed that the organic milk used in their night-time drink helped them sleep better during the trial.

Dairy owner Gordon Tweddell said: "We are unique in that we now produce our own organic milk and sell it direct to the consumer.

"The hospital was keen to see that products going in there were coming from the local surroundings.