A Cumbrian MP has welcomed a change in legislation aimed at helping struggling dairy farmers during the coronavirus crisis.

The Government has relaxed elements of competition law so that retailers, logistics services and suppliers in the industry can work together.

The move comes after dairy farmers were badly hit by the closure of hospitality businesses they supply and many retail outlets.

This has led to a collapse in milk prices and dairy farmers pouring milk away.

The changes in the law mean the dairy industry can share labour and facilities, co-operate to temporarily reduce production or identify where there is hidden capacity in the supply chain for processing milk into other dairy products such as cheese and butter.

MP for Copeland Trudy Harrison said it was "paramount that dairy farmers are not damaged during this challenging time".

She said: "The current situation has highlighted just how important British farmers and procedures in the UK are.

"I am extremely passionate about the importance of all our local farmers, providing fresh and nutritious milk to the population is crucial, and would like to thank them in their efforts to ensure food supplies continue.

"I have been speaking on a regular basis to my colleagues at The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and key stakeholders in the dairy industry on the behalf of our farmers about the effect that the Covid-19 outbreak is having on their business and I will continue to raise their concerns to ministers."

Dairy UK and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board will now carry out work to bring the industry together to identify spare processing capacity, how to stimulate demand and how to temporarily reduce production.