A BUSINESS set up to help people with allergies has taken the top honour at a national awards ceremony.

Judy Bell's cheesemaking company Shepherd's Purse, based at Thirsk, North Yorkshire, won the Great British Food Award at the National Farmers' Union's (NFU) Farming Excellence Awards.

Having worked for an osteopath for many years, Mrs Bell became aware of a growing number of people suffering allergies to conventional dairy products and that alternative sheep milk products were hard to find.

Shepherd's Purse was started on her family's farm in 1987 and launched its first cheese two years later.

Since then, Mrs Bell has developed an award-winning range of sheep's cheeses and, latterly, her first cow's milk cheese - Yorkshire Blue - as well as buffalo milk and organic products.

In 2001, Shepherd's Purse won five gold medals for its products.

NFU president Tim Bennett said: "Judy has shown the success that can come from spotting an opportunity and pursuing it with determination and flair to make a product that consumers love."

Mrs Bell was presented with her prize of £1,000, a certificate and a plaque for the farm gate by Ian Merton, director of fresh and convenience foods for awards sponsor, Sainsbury.