Marks and Spencer potato suppliers Geest QV, a joint venture between Geest Foods and QV Foods, and DGM Growers, which is owned by M&W Mack, have merged.

The new company, to be called Manor Fresh, will have an annual turnover of £50m and 200 staff based in Lincolnshire. M&W Mack and Geest QV each own 50% of the new company.

Manor Fresh MD Ian Craig, formerly of DGM Growers, said: "The resulting increase in focus, as well as the synergies we can realise, will benefit our customers in terms of service and product quality, value and innovation."