AS 800-year-old cheeses go, few could have raised as much of a stink as the now world-famous Wensleydale.

Favourite teatime treat of a certain plasticine-based motorcycle rider and his beloved four-legged pillion passenger, the cheese has caused one of the longest-running arguments among residents of the North Yorkshire dale.

However, the debate may now be confined to the cheeseboard of history, after the Wensleydale Creamery, in Hawes, revealed that it was taking over the Fountains Dairy at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon.

The move will not spell the end for Wensleydale production at both sites, however, with the Hawes Creamery looking to move into the more commercial markets.

Chairman John Gibson said: "We are amalgamating the two businesses to allow us to double our capacity, and put us into a bigger league.

"Fountains has planning permission for further development of its 11-acre site, and it fits in with our plans for future expansion, and moving into the more commercial sector."

The idea of a merger was first raised in 1996, when it was proposed that a Dales cheesemakers guild could be formed so the two dairies and other smaller ones could help promote each other's business.

Four years on, the combined firm will boast a turnover of £13.5m, and guarantee jobs for 175 people, with further recruitment planned next year.

Both firms claim their Wensleydale is the original.

The rivalry between the two reared its head recently after the success of the Wallace and Gromit films in the 1990s, with its makers' allegiance lying firmly with the Hawes camp.

Many say Jervaulx Abbey was the birthplace of Wensleydale more than 900 years ago - the abbey being nine miles from Kirkby Malzeard.

However, opponents say Kirkby cannot claim to make the traditional Wensleydale cheese, because it is not even in the dale.

Mr Gibson said: "There's always been a friendly rivalry between the two companies. From now on, the traditional Wensleydale will be made at the Hawes dairy, and it may put an end to the argument over the cheese."

But, for the residents of the dale, that argument is likely to rumble on for years to come