BOSSES at the troubled Westbury Dairies plant have come under fire from angry milk price campaigners.

Protest group Farmers for Action has criticised the consortium of Milk Link, First Milk and Dairy Farmers of Britain for not raising milk prices this winter.

Despite pressure from farmers the co-operative behind the Westbury plant has failed to match a two pence price increase by cheese manufacturers.

Protesters have blockaded milk plants across the country in recent months fighting for an increase in milk prices but gave new bosses time to settle in after Westbury Dairies was created in October.

David Handley, chairman of Farmers for Action, said: "To say I am a little disappointed would be an understatement.

"The co-op movement has shown after 10 years it is just not working. If someone offered me a direct supply contract tomorrow, I would take it."

Farmers hailed Westbury Dairies as a saviour for co-operative farming when it was rescued from receivership in October.

Mike Stevens, of consortium member Dairy Farmers of Britain, said: "Farmers are actually better off with us because they get an average of all three consortium prices and Dairy Farmers of Britain has just increased its share by half a pence per litre."

The criticism from the milk price campaigners heaps more misery on the plant after this year's financial crisis and a poison scare.