It's official - Yorkshire cheese is better than its continental competition according to judges at the much-acclaimed Nantwich International Cheese Show 2004 held in Cheshire.

Shepherds Purse, of Thirsk has scooped the coveted Rosenburg trophy for best single blue veined cheese Already the holder of many top cheese accolades, Mrs Bells Blue, named after the founder Judy Bell, is made with locally sourced ewe's milk and is a true contender to European cheeses, having a creamy texture with a slightly salty, complex blue flavour.

In 1997 Mrs Bells Blue came top of the cheese class in the same competition, winning Reserve champion Last year it won the Best Ewes Milk Cheese class.

Shepherds Purse also picked up 2nd, 3rd and 4th awards in the sheep milk class for Mrs Bells Blue, for Olde York, made using a traditional York recipe dating back to the early 18th century and forYorkshire Feta.

Judy Bell said: "We are absolutely delighted to win such a prestigious award and for one of our traditional, handmade Yorkshire cheeses to come out on top against such strong competition makes the prize even sweeter."

Updated: 12:20 Thursday, August 05, 2004