READERS of The Northern Echo have helped a North-East dairy out of a right pickle after coming up with more than 50 possible names for its latest cheese.

Family dairy Parlour Made Artisan Cheese, based at Village Farm, Mordon, near Sedgefield, County Durham, has won several awards for its creations and supplies more than 70 hotels, farm shops and restaurants.

However, when it came to naming its first red cheese, weeks of churning over ideas was enough to send husband and wife team Carol and Neil Peacock crackers.

Luckily, help was at hand from readers of The Northern Echo.

In April, Mr and Mrs Peacock asked readers for help to come up with a name inspired by the Parlour Made brand and the Sedgefield area.

They were overwhelmed by the response, with more than 50 ideas put forward.

“We could not believe it,” said Mrs Peacock. “All weekend my phone was pinging with emails. There were quite a few we liked so it was a hard choice.”

Hardwick Red and Mordon Sunset were among the favourites but in the end Mordon Ruddy proved the cream of the crop.

Sue Mylles, of Bowburn, near Durham City, came up with the winning name and was rewarded with a Parlour Made hamper packed full of cheese, including the award-winning Mordon Blue, Durham Camembert and, most importantly, Mordon Ruddy.

“I am delighted,” said Mrs Mylles, 55. “As soon as I read the article the word Ruddy sprung to mind.

“When I looked it up I learned it is an old English word for a healthy reddish colour brought about by outdoor living.”

Mrs Peacock said it was the perfect name, adding: “It is a red cheese made on the farm and you couldn’t lead a more outdoor life than us.”

Mr and Mrs Peacock started making cheese in 2011 as a means of diversifying the dairy farm, which has been in the family for two generations.

The couple’s 16-year-old son is also employed on the farm and helps look after the family’s 120-strong herd of Holstein-Friesian cows.

For more information and a full list of stockists visit parlourmade.co.uk