The team behind the ill-fated Nocton mega-dairy has invested in a dairying operation in Hungary, it has emerged.

Peter Willes and David Barnes have set up a 1,000-cow dairy farm on 4,300 acres of leased land 100 miles from Budapest.

In 2011, the team ditched its plans for an 8,000-cow farm in Nocton, Lincolnshire, after the environment Agency voiced concerns and amid intense animal rights campaigning.

Willes said subsidies were available in Hungary, “dependent on the farm achieving exceptionally high welfare standards”. Contrary to reports that suggested the farm’s size would double to 2,000 cows, Willes insisted there were no plans to expand it.

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