CREDITON Dairy, the leading producer of flavoured milk drinks, decided not to send Christmas cards again this year and instead made donations to charities.

The charities were chosen by staff and those selected because of their impact in the community were Age Concern Crediton, ELF, Balloons, Teenage Cancer Trust and Prostate Cancer UK.

Representatives from three of the five charities attended a reception held at the dairy drinks supplier’s premises which is based in the heart of the town.

The presentations were made by the company's finance director Chris Hume.

Crediton Dairy is one of the UK's leading dairy drinks businesses producing an extensive range of branded and own label fresh flavoured and functional chilled milk drinks, iced coffee and long life milks and creams.

It supplies nearly all of the UK's major supermarkets as well as leading foodservice, convenience and wholesale businesses.

In the UK around a quarter of all the supermarkets in Britain sell Crediton Dairy products.

Crediton Dairy is one of the town's largest employers, with more than 200 employees.

Crediton Dairy's site processes more than 150 million litres of milk annually, all sourced from 88 dedicated local British Dairy Farms within a 30-mile radius.

Age Concern Crediton is an independent local charity supporting and improving the quality of life for people aged 50+ living in and around Crediton - enabling independent living.

Balloons supports bereaved children and young people across Exeter, East and Mid Devon.

Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) is a registered charity providing vital support to patients with blood cancer and other disorders.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK teenage cancer charity which gives every young person facing cancer the best care and support.

Prostate Cancer UK fights to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.