THE makers of Wallace and Gromit's favourite cheese have won a number of awards at an international show.

Wensleydale Creameries won 15 medals at the Nantwich International Cheese Show, which attracted 30,000 people from all over the world.

Wensleydale's collection of medals included three first prizes. The creamery did particularly well in the farmhouse categories, which are for cheeses made using traditional methods.

Sales director Phil Jones said: "Nantwich is the biggest show in the country and it is always nerve-wracking, waiting to find out what the judges have decided.

It is fantastic that we were able to bring so many prizes back to Yorkshire.'

Earlier this year the company, which employs 170 people at its two factories in North Yorkshire, renewed its licence to promote its cheese using cartoon duo Wallace and Gromit.

Wensleydale Creameries won best English cheese and best British cheese for its Mature Wensleydale in last year's World Cheese Awards.

The cheese is handmade using milk from cows in fields in Upper Wensleydale, where the use of artificial chemicals, herbicides and pesticides is restricted.