Following notification of Wrexham-based Tomlinson’s Dairies going into administration, farming charity RABI has released money from its Crisis Fund to provide emergency grants of £3,000 to affected farmers.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution is the agricultural sector’s oldest and largest charity, offering financial support, practical care and guidance to farming people of all ages.

The charity is making emergency grants available to dairy farmers directly affected by the demise of milk processor Tomlinson’s; fast-tracking applications for financial assistance using a simplified application and criteria process.

RABI chairman Malcolm Thomas said: “RABI exists to support members of the farming community, which is why we are putting these measures in place at this difficult time.

“It’s a proactive move on our part to make immediate, short-term support readily available. The news that Tomlinson’s has gone into administration came out of the blue for many farmers, leaving some without payments for milk supplies and having to find alternative milk processors to supply to.”

Tomlinson’s Dairies is based in Wrexham, but also has operations in Cheshire and Shropshire. Mike Denny and Peter Dickens of PwC were appointed joint administrators to the business by the High Court on October 14.