IMPORTERS and exporters from West Wiltshire have aired their fears of a no-deal Brexit impact on their business to a UK member of the European Parliament.

Peter Shaw, managing director of Melksham-based C&P Medical, and his wife Julia import medical products into the UK from Europe for distribution to the NHS and other customers.

He said a no-deal Brexit could have a devastating effect if vital supplies were held up at European or UK ports or if they didn’t come through.

He said: “Any hold ups would be an absolute nightmare. We are having to hold up to 12 weeks stock.

"We are looking at it being a major problem. It is going to be carnage. Any form of Brexit is going to have a negative impact on this country."

Darren Larvin, managing director of Coombe Castle International at Melksham, said a no-deal Brexit could halve his firm's exports and potentially price their products out of the market.

"We export 95 per cent of our dairy produce and 80 per cent of that is cheese. If tariffs are imposed on our products, it would have a huge knock on effect."

Over a third of Coombe Castle’s business is exports of cheese to Canada, which are under tariff-free under the EU-Canada trade deal.

If a no-deal Brexit happens, the tariff on a £500 block of cheese would be a whopping £1,200.

The two firms briefed South West MEP Caroline Voaden during her visit to the Coombe Castle International offices in Melksham on Wednesday August 21.

Mrs Voaden was accompanied on her visit by Helen Belcher, the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Chippenham.

They were given a tour of The Creamery before discussing concerns about a no-deal Brexit.