One of Ledbury's biggest employers has expressed relief that it can start to make deliveries, now the fuel blockades appear to be coming to an end.

Award-winning Meadow Cheese Ltd, on the Hazel Park Industrial Estate, had to cancel a shipload of cheese products to its important USA market this week.

On Monday, Welsh suppliers were telling the firm that farmers might have to resort to spraying milk on the fields because fuel was scarce for deliveries.

As the fuel crisis appeared to tighten its grip, the firm's joint managing director, Robert Peel, said: "We might send people home at the end of the day. That's something we do not want to do.

"We're still waiting to hear from our hauliers to see whether we can get our products out under the Essential Services Scheme, which includes food. Some of our stuff goes to factories that supply Meals on Wheels."

By yesterday (Thursday), with news of the blockade coming to an end, Mr Peel was more optimistic. He said: "It looks like our hauliers are getting fuel tomorrow."

He added that if the fuel arrives, Uk deliveries which should have been made today would now be made on Monday.

Two consignments of exports to the USA are now being planned for next week, to make up for the one that was cancelled at the height of the fuel crisis.

Mr Peel said: "I'm obviously very relieved, as are most businesses."