Farmers descended on a dairy last night to fight for more money for the milk they sell.

Dairy farmers say they are making a loss and many in the county have gone out of business.

Milk is bought from farmers for an average of 16.5p a litre.

Farmers say they want prices in line with the European standard price of 20.6p a litre.

Farmers from around Sussex staged a peaceful demonstration outside Express Dairies, near Uckfield, last night.

Demonstration organiser Steve Franklin, of Lullings Farm, Cuckfield, said milk is priced low because dairies have control of the market.

His farm produces a million litres of milk every year and last year he was being paid 20p a litre.

He said every penny cut off the price of a litre costs him £10,000 a year and he could be out of business by March.

He said: "We have lost 30 per cent of dairy farmers in the past 12 months.

"I am borrowing money and using savings to keep the business going."

Supermarkets have promised to put up prices by 2p a litre but he said farmers are likely to see less than a penny of the extra money.