Made in Cumbria has stepped up its efforts to help the county's food companies.

The business support organisation, which is perhaps best known for backing a campaign to persuade the EU to give Cumberland sausages protected name status, has recruited Julia Weller to take charge of a project designed to promote producers in Allerdale, Copeland and Furness.

Ms Weller joins the organisation having previously worked for Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, reports the News & Star.

"There are some excellent producers in the west of Cumbria that need more support with marketing their produce and increasing their distribution and sales," she told the newspaper.

One Cumbrian business that has enjoyed success in recent times is sandwich filling maker Calder Foods.

Last month the Cumberland News reported that Calder had announced plans to build a £2.5 million extension to its Carlisle factory.

The expansion of the production facility, which is being partially funded by a grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency, will lead to the creation of around 100 jobs.