NORTH Yorkshire may not be have the natural resources to sell sand to the Arabs, but the county has achieved a similar feat with a contract to sell its locally produced cheeses to the Swiss.

Artisan cheese producer, Shepherds Purse of Thirsk, is to export two of its products into the country, which has about 450 varieties of cheese and is particularly known for its hard holy varieties such as Emmenthal and Gruyère.

Jelmoli, a smart Selfridges-style department store based in Zurich, will stock the company’s Yorkshire Blue and Bells Bluemin White cheeses in its basement food hall, the Gourmet Factory.

Yorkshire Blue, the company’s best selling continental style cow’s milk cheese, and Bells Bluemin White, a blue rind brie also made with local cow’s milk produced in the Vale of York, will sit alongside delicacies from all over the world.

Katie Matten, director of Shepherds Purse Cheeses, said: “We are so excited to be exporting our traditionally handmade British blues to such a discerning cheese-eating nation. We know that Jelmoli offers the finest produce from around the world and that it is hugely popular with Zurchers and nostalgic expats in search of a taste of home.

“We are very proud and passionate about our cheeses and hope they are a hit with the Swiss shopper.”