TAW Valley Creamery of North Tawton scooped a record 34 awards at this week's Nantwich International Cheese Show — the 'world cup' of the cheese industry.

Of the awards, 17 were golds, in categories including mature Cheddar, vintage Cheddar, best South West cheese award and the past masters award. Its red Leicester was awarded both reserve supreme champion and UK supreme champion cheese. Together with the UK reserve supreme champion cheese won by its mature Cheddar, the creamery scooped three of the four top prizes at the show.

Brian Kerr, general manager for the Taw Valley Creamery said: 'To be recognised as the makers of the very best british cheeses, from mature Cheddars to red Leicesters through to reduced-fat cheeses, is fantastic news for the whole team here at the creamery. 

'It acknowledges not only the quality of our great tasting cheeses but also the hard work and experience of our cheese makers.'

Neil Kennedy, chief executive of Milk Link, the owners of Taw Valley Creamery, said: 'The recognition here at Nantwich, the world's foremost cheese show, for the excellence of our creameries and their cheeses, makes both myself and everyone involved with Milk Link very proud.

'Our cheese makers deserve this resounding acknowledgement of their expertise, dedication and craftsmanship which deliver the really exceptional taste and quality of our products. This number of awards really marks the culmination of the success which has been building throughout the show season, and which is so important to the British dairy industry and in particular our farmers.'