A CHEESEMAKER is celebrating another success after winning an international award.

Shepherd’s Purse, based near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, won bronze at this year’s World Cheese Awards in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, for its Mrs Bell’s Blue.

The event is the largest and most cosmopolitan cheese contest in the world, with more than 2,400 competitors from 34 countries.

The accolade for Shepherd’s Purse follows closely behind its recent gold win for the cheese at the British Cheese Awards.

Mrs Bell’s Blue, traditionally hand-made with locallysourced ewe’s milk and named after founder Judy Bell, was awarded bronze in the blue vein cheese, uncut, foil wrapped category.

The win marks the fourth award this year for the cheese, which is considered to be a true contender to other continental ewe’s milk blue cheeses with its creamy texture and slightly salty, complex blue flavour.

Mrs Bell, chief executive of Shepherds Purse, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded bronze at the World Cheese Awards.

“It continues to pick up award after award for its fabulous taste and I am so proud to have my name on it and win on the world stage.”