Essex-based Fairfields Farm has invested £1m in a new manufacturing unit to boost distribution of its hand-cooked crisps beyond East Anglia and take on larger rivals Tyrrells and Kettle.

The farm produces two crisp brands: Fairfields Farm Crisps, which is sold in delis and farm shops as well as The Co-op in East Anglia and Jackpots, which has regional distribution in Tesco and Asda stores.

The new unit would deliver crisps with “the lowest possible food miles” and allow full control over production and development, said owner Robert Strathern.

“We can now harvest, wash, grade and pack our potatoes, and manufacture our crisps within a few metres of our fields.”