A HELPLINE for food and drink manufacturers in the south west has been launched this week.

Specialists from Food Facts South West provide advice on manufacturing legislation, packaging, processing and ingredient or machinery sounding. Customers can also obtain information on regional trade and trends in the market place.

Richard Hunter, managing director of South West Food & Drink, said: "We have access to all the information that food and drink producers in our region could need. "I believe that this service will be invaluable to businesses which are looking to grow and we are keen that as many of them as possible benefit from our initiative."