A RURAL business which has pledged £800,000 on a business project has been praised by a local MP for its work in supporting the rural economy.

The Wensleydale Creamery, at Hawes, North Yorkshire, was visited by Northallerton MP William Hague to hear of the company’s business progress.

The foreign secretary also heard about the company’s £800,000 investment in its visitor centre when he toured the site.

The Wensleydale Creamery and visitor centre employs 220 people and the new look visitor centre will allow it to support 20 new local suppliers.

The current visitor centre attracts over 200,000 people a year and it is hoped the new look building will bring in another 50,000.

Mr Hague said: "The Wensleydale Creamery is the home of the best cheese in the world.

"We are here to celebrate the expansion of the visitor centre as well as a business that is doing so well."

Mr Hague was updated on items such as the creamery’s bid to gain protected food status for its Real Yorkshire Wensleydale.

David Hartley, the creamery’s managing director, said: "Mr Hague has proved an ardent supporter of Dales’ businesses that are important to the livelihoods of local family-run farms.

"We regard his visit as a vote of confidence in what we are trying to achieve here at Hawes."

The Wensleydale Creamery has been supported in its work by the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward which has given it funds.