Carol Vorderman backs campaign to save farmers Einion and Elliw’s fresh milk vending machines

The author and former Countdown presenter called on people to sign a petition to support Mynydd Mostyn farm in Trelogan, near Holywell.

Customers have queued in their droves since the self-serve machines, which offer bottled milk and milkshakes, were installed at Mynydd Mostyn farm in Trelogan, near Holywell, at the start of this year.

The roadside attraction, which is open 24 hours a day, has proven to be a huge success for farmers Einion and Elliw Jones, with the milk provided by the family’s 280-strong herd of Jersey-cross milking cows.

However, the future of the venture is now in doubt after it was revealed the machines and shed they are held in were put on land which forms part of the Mostyn Hall estate without permission.

The pair had tried to argue to Flintshire Council that planning permission was not required as it was in fitting with the wider farm.

An online petition has been set up and, so far, more than 6,400 people have signed in support of the Joneses.

And, on Friday, Carol Vorderman, who has recently been sharing photos of her enjoying paddleboarding in Pembrokeshire, shared the link on Twitter, adding: "For all Flintshire and Denbighshire peeps.....please sign this petition.....to keep a dairy open (local council want to close it down for some reason or other) xxxx."

Einion and Elliw Jones posted this photo on Facebook with a thank you to people who have supported them. Image Facebook/Llaethdy Mynydd Mostyn Dairy

Carol, who was brought up in Rhyl and Prestatyn, had shared Twitter user Gareth Wyn Jones' post, who said:"Our local milk shed in Trelogan is being threatened with closure by Flintshire CC - please can you help share the petition to keep it open.

"It is essential to our community they have worked so hard to diversify and offer an amazing product."

The online petition, started by Tehya Williams, says the closure of the dairy would hit farmers as well as the people that travel miles to enjoy the fresh and flavoured milk on sale.

The petition says: "If this petition manages to reach Flintshire Council there may be a chance to save Mynydd Mostyn.

"You hear the message ‘Support your local farmers’ all the time, why has this changed?

"Local farmers struggle enough as it is without the extra targeting brought by councils.

"Mr and Mrs Jones and their children have all worked extremely hard with making Mynydd Mostyn what it is today. Bringing joy to families and being a lovely spot to relax and grab a milkshake. With a 4.9 star rating on google, 7000 followers on Instagram and over 13,000 followers on their Facebook page. They have made so many people happy and for what? For them to be shut down?

"Let’s fight for Mynydd Mostyn Dairy to stay open as part of the extended farm!"

The vending machine at Llaethdy Mynydd Mostyn Dairy

At the weekend, on the dairy's Facebook page, Einion and Elliw posted: "We are overwhelmed with the amount of messages and comments we’ve received following Flintshire County Council’s decision on Thursday.

"Its amazing to see the amount of local support we’ve had and support from afar. .

"We would like to thank each and everyone one of you who have commented, shared, liked and especially signed the petition. We’ve read every single one and so proud of what we’ve achieved. We love being able to sell our milk direct from our cows to you.

"We know a lot of you enjoy seeing the cows and being able to ask us questions face to face about our system or questions about the milk.

"We will be appealing the decision and will be doing everything that we can to keep our venture going and keep on supplying you with fresh milk.

"Thanks again, we feel truly grateful."

Officials from the local authority have so far denied a request for a lawful development certificate to be issued in respect of the machines due to the scale of the milk vending business and lack of adequate parking.

In a report, planning officer Claire Morter said: “The local planning authority are satisfied that the activity being undertaken was initially planned to be linked to the main farm enterprise.

“However, the scale of the operation is now such that although the milk is generated by the farm, the retail use and associated engineering operations required to sustain the use are entirely separate to the farmstead.

“The site is only accessible by vehicle, and at peak times it appears that the provision of parking is not adequate. The site is highly unsustainable.

“The retail activity is on a large scale with many customers travelling by car, to the site. The use is available 24 hours a day.

“For the reasons outlined above I am concerned that due to the level of activity the business has a very distinct and separate character to the existing farm use.”