A WEST Dorset business has been handed a 'super gold' award by an international panel of judges.

Ford Farm, based at Litton Cheney, was recognised for its cave aged goat's cheese as the best British cheese at the 29th annual World Cheese Awards.

More than 3,000 cheeses were marked, including 510 entries from the UK.

The products was also one of eight British cheeses to achieve a 'super gold' award. The cave aged goat's cheese is made from milk sourced from a west country goat herd. It offers a mild, clean flavour and the texture is firm - similar to that of a cheddar.

The cheese is made using identical techniques to a West Country Farmhouse Cheddar – the curds are turned by hand, the cheese is pressed into cylindrical moulds, wrapped in cheesecloth and left to mature naturally. On this occasion, the cheese is taken to the caves at Wookey Hole for maturing which gives it its unique flavour characteristics.

Mike Pullin, director at Ford Farm, said: "We are absolutely bowled over to win this award - beating off so many prestigious and established British competitors.

"It’s a real achievement and credit to our superbly productive goats as well as our talented cheesemakers."

He added: "Cheese is very porous. If you leave it uncovered in the fridge, it will really take on the flavour of everything else.

"Placing it in the caves gives our cheddars a very distinctive additional layer which is earthy, rich and nutty and is a direct result of the cave’s atmosphere. Our cave aged goat is mild from a goat flavour point of view, but add to this all the rich and complex characteristics from the cave and you have a truly winning variety."

Ford Farm's Cave Aged Goat’s Cheese is already available through local delicatessens and specialist cheese shops as well as nationally through Tesco and Marks & Spencer. It is also available online at fordfarm.com.