A COUPLE who set up a family cheese-making business to secure the future of their dairy farm have won an industry award.

Carol and Neil Peacock, of Parlour Made Artisan Cheese, in Mordon, near Sedgefield, County Durham, received a bronze medal for their Mordon Blue at the British Cheese Awards, in Cardiff.

The cheese already holds a special place in the couple’s hearts, as it was the first to be made at the Village Farm when they decided to diversify last year.

“To be honest, I can’t quite believe it because we are such a young business,” said Mrs Peacock, 41.

“There were 902 cheeses entered from 187 cheese makers and we were up against large and longestablished businesses who have been making cheese for years.”

Parlour Made is very much a family business, with the couple’s son, Joe, 16, employed full-time and daughter Georgia, 13, helping at weekends.

The farm has been in the family for 54 years. Other cheese varieties include Durham Camembert, Farmhouse White, Mordon Mediterranean and soft flavoured cream cheese. All are made using milk from their own cow herd.