A film star farmer has had a court case against him dropped.

Steve Hook is the subject of an award-nominated documentary called Moo Man about his dairy farm in Hailsham.

But his Hollywood dream threatened to turn sour as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced earlier this year it was prosecuting him alongside Selfridges under food hygiene laws for selling his unpasteurised milk in the department store’s food hall.

The FSA began an investigation after the department store installed vending machines selling his unpasteurised milk in 2011. Mr Hook was forced to remove them in March last year. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, unpasteurised cows’ milk can only be sold direct to consumers from farms or the farmer, including through farmers’ markets.

In April the FSA said it was dropping its case against Selfridges but planned to still prosecute Mr Hook.

But at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last week the FSA decided to drop the case following a meeting with Mr Hook’s legal team.

He said it was a “relief” as the case had been hanging over him.

Astatement from Mr Hook said: “PGT Hook and Son are delighted that the prosecution brought by the FSA has now been withdrawn.

“We hope that, either as part of the consultation which the FSA intends to commence into the regulation of the sale of raw milk in England andWales, or separately, we will have the opportunity to meet with the FSA to discuss its concerns regarding the sale of raw milk and to best address those concerns whilst continuing to allow the sale of raw milk in view of the increasing demand for this product.

“In the meantime, we will continue to make our milk available through the outlets referred to on our website, and look forward to the nationwide release of theMooMan film on July 12, 2013.”