A FAMILY-run business in North Yorkshire has picked up five awards - including four golds - at one of Britain’s oldest cheese shows.

Shepherds Purse of Thirsk , was among those taking part in the Global Cheese Awards, held at Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show.

The show has been around for 150 years and now attracts international entries representing the finest cheese producers around the globe.

Shepherds Purse’s latest innovation, Harrogate Blue, a golden bodied cow’s milk cheese launched in June, picked up two golds in the soft blue cheese category and for the best cheese product brought to market in the past 12 months.

Their Olde York scooped gold in the cheese made with 100 per cent sheep’s milk class and Mrs Bell’s Blue was awarded silver in the same category. Yorkshire Fettle was also crowned a winner, picking up gold for the best feta.

This year’s competition attracted 1,160 entries across more than 160 classes. The event attracted a record-breaking 20,000 visitors.

Director Katie Matten said: “The Frome Cheese Show is one of the oldest and most respected cheese events in the country and we are delighted to pick up five awards, our best performance yet.

“We enjoy the challenge of such strong international competition and are so proud that our traditionally handmade Yorkshire cheeses continue to be rewarded with these prestigious accolades.”