Dairy farmers are seeking a better price for the cost of their produce

Farmers, who say they are earning less per litre for their milk now than they were five years ago, converged on the Somerfield distribution centre near Taunton.

The pressure group, Farmers for Action, who organised the protest, said members were being paid 18p per litre - well below the cost of production.

They say the stores are reluctant to raise the price of cheese and therefore cannot pass on increased revenue to the farmers.

James Badman of the group told the BBC: "They are failing to increase prices. All we want them to do is pass the money on back to the farm gate.

'Five sites'

"In the past they cut milk prices quite severely because of poor world markets and the prices were driven down back to the farmer and yet the consumer saw no saving.

"Now they're afraid to erode their own margins.

"There were around 300 farmers and there were another five sites around the country, so the strength of feeling is growing."

Somerfield bosses have now agreed to meet union leaders next week.