About 100 people joined the protest in Totnes

In the last few weeks dozens of demonstrations have been held outside creameries as farmers try to get what they claim is a fairer price for milk.

The demonstration came as farmers across the South West appeared set to join a new series of direct action protests which could disrupt the supply of milk to supermarkets.

Campaign leaders, Farmers for Action (FFA), have decided to step up their protests which have seen hundreds of farmers in peaceful protests at dairy plants in England, Wales and Scotland.

FFA recently secured a 2p-a-litre rise with big retailers - but they say middlemen like Dairy Crest must pass it on to consumers.

Lightning actions

FFA are keeping details of the new action by farmers under wraps, but say it will be aimed at the big distribution centres, including Unigate at Totnes.

That could disrupt the country's milk supply for the first time in the protest which has been rumbling on for nearly a month.

If the dairy farmers carry on going out of business there will be no dairy industry left Richard Haddock

Devon farmer and FFA activist Richard Haddock told BBC News Online that protests by South West farmers would be aimed at the major distribution centres which supply milk to the region, as well as Wales and London.

He said: "There will be a series of lightning actions against liquid milk plants.

"That could mean a shortage of milk on the doorstep.

"But we have been forced into this because if the dairy farmers carry on going out of business there will be no dairy industry left."

He added: "Sixty per cent of farms in the South West are milk farms. It is of huge importance to the area."

Last week more than 100 farmers protested at the Dairy Crest creamery at Davidstow in Cornwall.

Other protests have already been held at Glanbia Foods in North Tawton, Devon and at Unigate in Totnes.

Unigate and parent company Dairycrest were unavailable for comment.