AN animal feed company is venturing into new pastures after receiving help from Business Link North Yorkshire.

Norfeed UK, which supplies animal feed ingredients to agricultural companies in this country and overseas, is planning to adapt one of its production processes to the glass production industry.

The Boroughbridge-based company has won a Smart award, sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry, for a study into the feasibility of the plan and was given help in securing the award from Business Link's Roger Benson.

The process to be applied to glass manufacturing is already used by Norfeed to create vitamins, minerals and other additives used in animal feeds.

The family company, which has a turnover of £2m, was founded in 1988 by managing director Edward Middleton.

His son, Paul Middleton, a commercial director, said: "Our process has many different applications and the glass industry represents our first foray into other markets."