JUDY Bell, farmer's wife and prize-winning cheesemaker from Newsham, near Thirsk, described her visit to Buckingham Palace last week to receive her MBE as wonderful.

Mrs Bell, who founded Shepherd's Purse cheeses, was presented with the award, for her services to the farming community in North Yorkshire, by the Queen.

Her company has grown from a husband and wife diversification project on the family farm to employing more than 18 people.

She has also been associated for the past 13 years with the Yorkshire Pantry and other local initiatives to encourage the revival of good food production in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.