Keighley farmers plan to set up a yoghurt factory to supply the cooking needs of the local Asian community.

They hope housewives and restaurants across the Bradford district will flock to buy local rather than foreign produce. Success would offer a lifeline to local farmers who are struggling to survive in the face of falling milk prices and competition from bigger farms.

An estimated 20,000 litres of plain yoghurt is used each week by the district's Asian population for cooking, side dishes and drinks. More than half currently comes from abroad.

The local branch of the National Farmers Union has applied for a government grant to look at the feasibility of setting up a local yoghurt production centre.

Farmers would investigate the production side of the plan and Keighley Asian Business Forum has agreed to carry out market research. Keighley MP Ann Cryer is backing the application saying: "It's a smashing idea".

Steeton farmer Len Evans, the NFU's northern environmental delegate, says yoghurt is a principal component of Asian cooking. "We're not talking little pots of strawberry but big cartons.

"We have a large ethnic population in Bradford, as well as Lancashire. There's a consumer base that's very large within ten or 15 miles of here."

Ismail Sulaiman, project manager at KABF, says: "I think people would love to go for it. We would all like to buy local stuff. I'm for anything that improves Keighley."

A decision is expected before the end of this month.

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