A NORTH Yorkshire poultry farm has embarked on ambitious plans to increase its bird production by a third.

Patrick Wedgewood and his wife Lindsey, who operate North Riding Farm in Tholthorpe, near Easingwold, are replacing two existing poultry sheds in a move that will enable them to increase the number of birds on site from 130,000 to 174,000 per crop.

The project is being assisted by a six-figure funding package from Yorkshire Bank. It is part of ambitious plans to modernise and expand the farm, which the couple farm in partnership with Mr Wedgewood’s parents.

As well as installing the new poultry sheds, which are 66ft by 400ft compared to the existing 40ft by 400ft sheds, the Wedgewoods have added a biomass system to heat the sheds and reduce energy bills. This initiative was also funded by Yorkshire Bank.

Mr Wedgewood said: “As a family business, we have long enjoyed a strong relationship with Yorkshire Bank. As well as providing support, its knowledgeable team are always on hand with expert advice and invaluable insight into the market place.

“We welcome the bank’s support for our latest growth plans and we look forward to continuing our partnership as we develop and expand.”

The deal was delivered by Gordon Blackwood, an agricultural relationship manager based at Yorkshire Bank’s North Yorkshire customer banking centre.

Rick Warburton, head of the centre, said: “Patrick and his family are highly experienced poultry farmers, with a strong understanding of what it takes to innovate and achieve growth.

“It is rewarding to be supporting such a long-standing family business with fantastic growth potential.”