A local fruit farm has extended a deal with a major supermarket it supplies.

Rochester-based AC Goatham & Son has been supplying apples and pears to Aldi since 2016 - during which time it has more than doubled the volumes it provides.

Last year alone it supplied more than 17 million of the fruits to the chain.

Now it has penned an agreement to deliver to a further 180 stores.

Ross Goatham, managing director of the growers, said: “Our growing partnership with Aldi has gone from strength to strength over the last six years, with our business now supplying 50% of Aldi’s fruit that is grown on trees.

“We’ve built a strong relationship with the Aldi team who continuously help us to explore new ways to grow and develop as a business with sustainability front of mind, giving us a strong stream of demand and helping us to take further strides towards our commitment to reach net zero by 2030.”

Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, added: “We look forward to continuing our work with them in the future, bringing more of their fresh and affordable fruit to our stores across the country.”