Last updated 11:59, Saturday, 04 October 2008

Two Cumbrian cheese producers hit gold at this year’s British Cheese Awards.

And a Keswick deli was narrowly pipped to the title of ‘Best New Deli 2008’.

Thornby Moor Dairy, near Thursby, was awarded a Gold medal in the ‘modern British’ section for its Cumberland Farmhouse and a bronze for its oak-smoked version.

The Aspatria-based Lake District Cheese company won gold in the ‘best creamery cheese’ entries with its extra mature cheddar.

And the Cumberland Dairy picked up a bronze in the soft white cow cheese section for its Keldthwaite gold.

A record 910 cheeses were entered into this years competition by 183 cheesemakers from across Britain and Ireland.

The awards for Thornby Moor means that the dairy has now won 32 accolades since 2000.

Leonie Fairbairn, who runs the dairy with her mother Carolyn, said:

“Cumberland Farmhouse has been a consistent silver medal winner over the years and it is immensely satisfying to achieve gold. A share of the credit must go to our milk producers , the Hewson family of Parton Hall.”