ANALYSTS have hailed AG Barr's new Milton Keynes factory, saying it will reduce costs and increase efficiency as well as alleviating the pressure on its Cumbernauld facility.

Damian McNeela and Graham Jones from Panmure Gordon were among a group of analysts who visited the facility this week.

In a note they said the site would allow the drinks business to become more flexible in its approach to the market and predicted AG Barr would re-invest much of the savings it made into brands such as Irn-Bru and Rubicon.