Extra staff are to be taken on with the expansion of a Dorset winery, near Dorchester.

Additional land has been planted with grapes from a new area due to be harvested next year, which will need a growth in staff numbers at Langham Wine Estate to bring in the harvest.

To cope with the increase, the business has now been granted permission to add a two-storey building on its farm site, between Dorchester and Blandford, offering better welfare space, toilets and offices.

The expanded acreage means that Langham Wine Estate is likely to grow from eight full-time staff to 20, with part-time posts increasing from six to ten.

Dorset Council has just approved the planning application for the new building at Crawthorne Farm, Jock's Hill, at Crawthorne.

The building, which will be erected following the demolition of an existing dilapidated building and toilet block, will add about 270square metres of useable space.

The farm business diversified in 2009 with the introduction of Langham Wine Estate, which now covers 85 acres on the 600-acre farm, producing award-winning wines, with the winery being named Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year by the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2020.

In addition to vineyard tours, the business also offers tastings and regular food and music events.

The company says its 55-acre expansion of the vinery, planted in 2022, now requires additional staff with the first harvest expected in 2024 with the wine from the extra acreage expected to be on sale in 2026.

Said a planning agent in a statement to Dorset Council : "The proposed building will allow additional business space for welfare of these additional staff, to allow the business to successfully employ the additional workers, to allow the business to remain successful.

"The nature of the business also attracts a number of public visitors, who like to sample produce and walk the vineyard. The proposed building will include visitor toilets for improved convenience."

The building is a modern, agricultural, design which planning officers say will fit in with existing buildings on the farm site, accessed off the main Dorchester to Blandford road, just a few miles north of Puddletown.