NINE jobs have been saved at a specialist Dorset food producer after the business was sold to a Westcountry organic supplier.

Dorset County Foods Limited, which traded as Dorset Farms, near Beaminster was bought by Eversfield Organic Ltd, of Okehampton, Devon, on Monday., 21 September.

Dorset Farms was placed briefly into administration in order to allow the prepack sale to take place, with Ian Walker, of business rescue and recovery specialist Begbies Traynor’s Exeter office appointed administrator on Friday., 18 September.

Eversfield Organic Ltd, which farms 450 acres on the edge of Dartmoor, has purchased Dorset Farms’ goodwill, plant and machinery and stock for an undisclosed sum.

All of Dorset Farms’ nine staff will keep their jobs and will continue working at the business’s existing site in Littlewindsor.

The firm was established in 1984 and has built up an international reputation for supplying high quality cured meats.

Mr Walker said the business had a secure future under its new ownership.

She said: "I’m delighted to announce the sale of this fantastic business. It means that not only is Dorset Farms’ future safeguarded but it also enables Eversfield Organic Farm to offer a broader range of ethically produced and traceable products to its existing customer base."

The purchase of Dorset Farms by the award winning Devon-based organic food business makes it one of the UK’s largest brands to provide organic and free range products.

The the family-run 450 acre organic farm near to Okehampton will an anticipated 30 per cent increase in turnover during the next 12 months and build its team to 36 people based working across the two sites.

As a traditional food business and certified by the Soil Association, Dorset Farms uses natural marinades and ingredients to produce its finest award-winning ham range which includes the popular honey smoked, Dorset traditional and cider and cloves flavours.

Eversfield Organic Farm was founded by Mark Bury in 2002 with his son, Hamish and daughter, Anna to achieve a long held family ambition of producing high quality, organic meat.

Director Mark Bury said: “There is a great synergy between Dorset Farms and Eversfield Organic, as two businesses that have historically operated to provide produce that is an accessible option for people who are passionate about what they eat and where it originates from.

“The exciting addition of Dorset Farms’ delicious ham and bacon to the Eversfield Organic range now means that our customers can easily order a wider variety of products conveniently and cost-effectively through our online shop.

“As an ambitious business, we are always looking for opportunities to continue making our offering a market leading proposition and this merger will greatly complement the growing range of organic meat, vegetable boxes, dairy, handmade meals and deli items that we currently provide.”