A FARMING family who moved into ice cream and cheese production has been recognised for its work.

More than 20 years ago, Brian Moore decided to take Government advice and branch out from traditional farming by making ice cream.

It happened when milk quotas meant slashing production by half from their pedigree Guernsey cows.

The Moores now produce a range of Guernsey cheeses from their farm in Lower Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, as well as selling clotted cream and rearing bull calves for veal.

Meanwhile, the ice cream venture continues to expand.

The Moores started producing ice cream when they ran a farm at Weeton, between Harrogate and Leeds, in Lower Wharfedale. But the soaraway success of their home-made ices meant they had to find a bigger farm after traffic clogged up country lanes as people queued to buy their products.

This week, their efforts won the seal of approval from an international delegation from the Guernsey Society.

All the milk produced on the Moore's farm, at High Jervaulx, three miles from Masham, near Ripon, by their 140-strong herd of cows, is used to produce their ice cream and other products.

Digby Gribble, of the Guernsey Society, said the herd at Jervaulx was now ranked second in milk production terms nationally.

Members from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Guernsey and around the UK were in the 20-strong delegation.

"We decided to visit the Moore's farm because it is a good example particularly for overseas delegates. Diversification has been a great success for this business after they were forced down that road in 1983," said Mr Gribble, adding it was the only herd in Yorkshire, with most based in the South.