Messages of support from those who've signed up

Thousands of you have already pledged your support to the Uniquely Yorkshire campaign.

Hundreds of people have also responded to our request for messages of support and serving suggestions for Wensleydale Cheese.

Please continue to send these in - we believe it will make a difference.

To sign up visit our Uniquely Yorkshire homepage>>

YOUR SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Dr Nathan Evans, Leeds: "Just break a chunk off and eat it!"

Caroline Clarke, Shaftesbury (born in Bradford): "Fruit cake and good ol' Wensleydale - perfect on its own!"

Norman Smith, Blackburn: "Just as it comes...with good bread and blackberry jam."

Sandra Hempel, Hereford: "The only recipe I have is for fish with a Wensleydale sauce and black pepper and red onions with cream topped with sliced potatoes. Put in a hot oven until the potatoes are browned and the cheese is bubbling through."

Peter Gilligan, Ovalle, Chile: "Cauliflower cheese with Blue Wensleydale sauce, served with roast beef and Yorkshire puddings."

K Pilling, Hull: "My favourite way of enjoying Wensleydale is just by itelf with a cream cracker."

Patricia Carline, Doncaster: "Cream Crackers buttered with Yorkshire butter or Longley Farm Jersey Butter, a good thick slice of Wensleydale and a slice of Cox's Orange Pippin apple - perfect!"

Philip Hayes, Brisbane, Australia: "Stuff the cheese into hollowed chicken breast, dip in egg and breadcrumbs, fry in olive oil to make a great chicken breast."

Alan Law, Redruth, Cornwall: "By itself, or with some good, rich fruit cake."

T Pickup, Barnsley: "Chunk of Wensleydale, an apple and a pint of Sam Smiths' Old Brewery bitter."

Janet Hall, Harrogate: "Toasted Yorkshire Ham and Wensleydale Sandwich, served with a crisp apple."

Dr Walter, London: "Wensleydale cheese on its own. Why spoil it?"

Nancy Ciaffone, North Carolina, USA: "Slice a piece and eat it. Okay, maybe add a cracker or an apple slice or a few grapes, but all you really need is to eat the cheese."

Steven Baker, Darlington: "Pork and apple sausage served with Wensleydale cheese mash with onion marmalade. Boootiful!!!!"

A Wardle, Wakefield: "Eat it with whatever you fancy or just on its own."

Patricia O'Toole, Brussels: "Cheesecake made with real Yorkshire Wensleydale with ginger."

Patricia Hardwick, Pickering: "Just cut a good slice off and eat it on his own."

Maureen Firth, Wombwell: "As a sandwich topping. Chop tomatoes finely, add to a finely chopped onion and mix with Wensleydale cheese for a sandwich topping or to be spread on toast and grilled or microwaved."

Paul Tranmer, Hartoft, Pickering: "It's unique crumbly texture and fine creamy taste cannot be bettered on a crispbread with a tomato or gherkin or with a wedge of Bramley apple pie. Mmm!"

Ben Austwick, London: "Substitute Wensleydale for Feta cheese in Mediterranean salads."

Peter Cross, Paris: "No better complement to Christmas cake!"

Patricia Hardwick, Pickering: "Just cut a good slice off and eat it on its own."

Mrs M Wilkinson, Shipley: "My favourite Wensleydale recipe is Wensleydale cheese with the fruit cake from the creamery at Hawes. Lovely combination."

David Woodhead, Honley: "Take a currant-teacake from the Old Bridge Bakery in Holmfirth, split in half, lightly butter one side, preferably with Yorkshire dairy butter, then liberally spread the remaining half with my wife Beth's home-made damson jam and top that plenty crumbled Wenslydale and sandwich together. Carefully cut into six portions, then make good strong brewing of "Yorkshire Tea", find your favourite chair, make yourself comfy, get your Yorkshire Post and have leisurely read whilst scoffing The Lot."

Anon: "I don't have a favourite recipe - just a chunk of Wensleydale cheese with some rich Yorkshire fruit cake. Delish!"

Robson Johnson, Selby: "Wensleydale/cranberry in a toasted sandwich with Hawes creamery onion marmalade."

Eric Wildman, Hiki, Finland: "On toast and Christmas Cake, of course. What better way to serve?"

Debbie Hougie, Radlett: "Wensleydale cheese toastie with Raydale preserve chutney. Yummy!"

Mary Burnett, Winterton: "Eat it with home made apple pie or fruitcake."

(see recipe section for Yorkshire tea loaf submitted by Yvonne Beachell, Driffield)

YOUR MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN:

Jonathan Oxley, Goldsborough: "The real thing is the best product and should be uniquely recognised as such."

Ian Mitchell, Catterick Garrison: "Wensleydale cheese is no different from any other culturally defined food or drink (regional wines, Scottish salmon etc). Too many cultures are being watered down across the UK. Wensleydale is unique and should be treated as such."

Andrew Johnson, London: "It is unique and only authentic Wensleydale can be made in the Dales from local ingredients. Anything else would be misleading. If it's called Wensleydale you expect it to come from Wensleydale."

Bruce Wilkins, Vancouver: "I support the movement to protect Wensleydale cheese in order to protect the economic viability of my beloved Yorkshire! I believe this will also protect the purity of one of the world's great cheeses."

James Gould, Wirral: "All local products are unique and, as such, their status should be preserved."

Karin Ficke Cook, La Crosse, Wisconsin: "Wensleydale Cheeses are beautifully made Yorkshire cheeses and should be given protected status because of their traditional and unique flavours. No imitation cheeses can match the quality and flavour of a Yorkshire-made cheese. Although I may live for the moment in Wisconsin, I have been a fan of Wensleydale Cheese for many years and there is nothing like it in the world. And it must stay that way. And those of us in the land of Cheeseheads do know the difference in our cheeses!"

E Dunnachie, Lanark: "I visited the Hawes creamery on holiday. There is nothing like the real cheese. Best wishes and accept no imitation."

David Heap, Sowerby Bridge: "I am the only cheesemaker in Calderdale producing 'Calderdale crumbly' from our own small herd of 11 cows. It is very important that we safeguard our local cheeses."

Gerard Martin, New Zealand: "This cheese is amongst the best in the world and is a Dales cheese absolutely. Therefore it's status as a quintessentially Yorkshire cheese should be protected absolutely."

M Hayes, Syracuse, USA: "A beautiful example of English culture that definitely should be assisted in its preservation and protection."

Sally Gardner, Maidenhead: "Ever since I can remember as a child and young person the creamery had been under threat of closure everytime we managed to visit the Dales. Since the management buyout the Creamery has gone from strength to strength and I would dearly love to see Wensleydale cheese protected. If they can do it for Halloumi in Cyprus then we should be able to do it for Wensleydale and Yorkshire."

W Stockdill, Vancouver: "Wensleydale is to Hawes as Champagne is to Rheims. Both unique products deserving special status."

Brian and Margaret Collinson, Wakefield: "A great and truly Yorkshire product that needs to be protected to stop any dilution of its unique qualities."

Pierre Lammens, Wichelen, Belgium: "Wensleydale cheese is one of the reasons to come back every two years to North Yorkshire and to the lovely Dales."

Ted Kelly, Coburg, Ontario: "Is nothing sacred these days?!"

Stuart Mace, Norwich: "If I buy Wensleydale I expect it to come from Wensleydale. Protection is essential to stop the public buying a copy cat product and disliking it and dismissing the real Wensleydale on that basis."

Lynsey Jones, Vancouver: "Real Wensleydale is one of the things I most miss about Yorkshire. I would love to see it gain protected status as it is an important part of our heritage."

Robert D Simpson, Skipton: "The best cheese in the world should be protected from foreign makers."

Michael Carr, Asti, Piedmont, Italy: "In Piedmond where I live, all the local cheeses are greatly regarded with DOP status."

Liz Chalmers, East Leake: "I was brought up with Wensleydale cheese having lived all my childhood in Kikby Malzeard where there is a cheese dairy. Nothing like a proper piece of Wensleydale cheese with mince pies to evoke memories of a happy childhood in Kirkby."

Catherine, Lucerne, Switzerland: "Wensleydale cheese is special. Even though I've lived in Switzerland for 26 years, it's still my favourite cheese."

Tony Poole, Broederstroom, South Africa: "I was a student at Leeds College of Art many years ago and grew to love Wensleydale cheese, unobtainable in South Africa, and would hate to see it copied by other so-called Wensleydale manufacturers."

Caroline Clarke, Shaftesbury (born in Bradford): "I believe Wensleydale should be protected. It is part of Yorkshire and Yorkshire heritage. It should be preserved in its unique form and nobody else should be able to make a cheese less good in the same name."

Brian Gibson, Darlington: "Wensleydale cheese is part of Yorkshire and should be known as Yorkshire."

Richard Iball, Doncaster: "It is a special cheese from a special named area so fully qualifies."

Ian Bullock, Cork: "Keep it pure. Only the best will do a Yorkshireman."

Diane Hirst, Ilkley: "Help to protect and keep Yorkshire's heritage and tradition alive. How can cheese not made in Wensleydale, from milk from Wensleydale animals, be Wensleydale?"

Norman Smith, Blackburn: "The big boys will be importing it from China before you know it. Let's know what we are getting and protect the people with the skills to make it."

Martin Bugeja, Rabat, Malta: "There were several cases similar and maybe not so important and the EU gave protection. So why not do it with the best cheese I've ever tasted. One case was the so-called Kunserva (tomato paste) in Malta; it is now protected."

Ian Maxwell, Gargrave: "Look at what has happened to Cheddar cheese without protection!"

George Lancashire, Rotherham: "It's true Yorkshire cheese."

Sandra Hempel, Hereford: "I have just returend from my very first visit to the Dales with my partner - a north Yorkshireman, and we both loved it. We visited Hawes and saw the cheese being made and I brought some home with me. I am, as you can see, a southerner, but still a country person and I thought the Wye valley was a picture until I saw the Dales and now I cannot wait to move away from my hills to your dales forever."

C A Schmidt, Telford, Pensylvannia, USA: "I've had Wensleydale cheese. It is wonderful! I've seen many 'original' products imitated here in the US, all to the detriment of the original. An inferior copy can give a wrong impression of the 'real thing'."

Richard Airton, Plymouth, Michigan, USA: "I grew up in Masham, now living in the USA so if I am ever able to purchase Wensleydale cheese I want to know it came from Wensleydale."

Swaby Syd, Australia: "Not easy to get where I live but can be bought in Melbourne."

Shaun Pyrah, Scarborough, Australia: "It is an absolute disgrace that the good tradition and expertise of Yorkshire should be plundered by commercial interest."

Jan Haswell, Philippines: "I want authenticity in food, but couldn't care less about fake T-shirts. Wensleydale's long history should not be abused."

Sally-Ann Grant, Nelson, New Zealand: "I have lived in NZ for the last 11 years. I was watching one of our cooking programs the other day and it featured Wensleydale cheese. I could taste the cheese as the presenter described it. There is no other cheese in the world like it."

John Rawling, Hull: "As life become more globally complicated and demanding the need to preserve the private, simple and unique components of our heritage becomes more significant. The solace and quieting pleasures of our ancestral accomplishments provides a sense of inner peace and gratification to our existance. Wensleydale is more than a cheese, it's a unique calming stress antidote for the modern soul."

Rosaline Linhart, Edmonton, Canada: "Wensleydale is the best cheese that I buy here in Canada. It has such a unique flavour that all my Canadian friends are learning to appreciate."

Helen Lister, Leeds: "We should always protect our local foods and traditions where possible."

Liz Horsley, Sleaford: "Yorkshire born and bred and a purchaser of Wensleydale cheese every week - it is part of my life. It must stay 'true' to its home county."

Jill Chapman, Wisbech: "Other countries get their products the protected status, we should do the same. And anyway, Wensleydale is a unique cheese, worth the status."

Andy Hirst, Bradford: "Appelation controle Wensleydale...if we were French the barricades would have gone up and there would be civil unrest if someone even hinted at infringing an Appelation. Let's get proud, protect our County cheese."

Peter Gilligan, Ovalle, Chile: "From Castleford originally, but living in Chile via Australia, mining of course. Always used to buy it in Elijah Allens Emporium in Hawes."

A Grant, Yeadon: "These people are only jealous because anything that comes out of Yorkshire is the best, bar none."

Dr Alastair Crosswaite, Edinburgh: "As an ex-pat Yorkshireman in Scotland it is vital to protect our heritage."

Simon Endersby, Huntly, Scotland: "Proper Wensleydale cheese (especially the blue) is unique in flavour and should be protected from poor quality imitations. The cheeses from Wensleydale owe much of their character to the protected meadows upon which the cows graze - part of a marvellous environment which deserves preservation through a sound local economy."

David Pullan, formerly Heckmondwike, now Melbourne: "I love Wensleydale Cheese! In Australia we have the same thing with Champagne. We have to call it sparkling so I think it is only fair."

Clifford Cain, Doncaster: "Wensleydale from Wensleydale is a far superior product compared to other cheeses carrying the name. Clearly a case for PDO."

Tony Underwood, York: "The name says it all."

Patricia Carline, Doncaster: "There is too much erzatz Wensleydale around - some of it even comes from Lancashire and Wales, by 'eck. This situation must not continue - all non-Yorkshire Wensleydale should state categorically 'Wensleydale-style NOT made in Yorkshire'."

Margaret Lewer, Homosassa, Florida: "As an expat living in the U.S I miss Wensleydale cheese from Yorkshire. On visits back my sister gets me the real stuff from Hawes. There is nothing like it. We don't want a substitute just the real delicious Wensleydale, we need to be sure we're getting the right thing."

Michelle Carr, Adelaide, Australia: "Products that are uniquely Yorkshire should remain so. No foreign copies please."

Anita Wright, Holt, Norfolk: "Wensleydale cheese should be made in Wensleydale, not anywhere else."

J Michael Yates, Shelby, North Carolina: "Protect the heritage and craftsmanship of Wensleydale. Keep people in the dales and stop the urban drift."

Simon McGill, Leeds: "As so many producers are now "cashing in" on a massive array of national and local products, the time has come to protect those that are most vulnerable. Wensleydale cheese should have the status. After all, other nationalities kick up such a fuss over their produce and get the status, why not us for a change."

Edwin Dowson, Sydney, Australia: "If the French can protect their Champagne from Australian sparkling wine then Wensleydale cheese should have protection. It's a type, brand and regional speciality."

Brian Kayle, York: "Yorkshire born and Yorkshire Proud."

Philip Hayes, Brisbane, Australia: "How many more traditional British producers are going to go into obscurity at the whim of a bunch of wasters in Brussels. We go to the trouble to buy Wensleydale cheese through importers in Oz - we love it!"

John Bailey, Cardiff: "If a food carries a local label then it should be made in the local area. Wensleydale is a uniquely Yorkshire product and it should have the same appelation control status accorded to foodstuffs made in other areas of the UK or EC and truly call itself Wensleydale. It demands protection, otherwise, one day, the supermaket chains will have on their shelves alongside Danish Feta and New Zealand cheddar - Welsh Wensleydale. Is that what the readers of the Yorksire Post really want? I don't and I'm fiercely proud to be Welsh."

Jacqui Stephenson, Hoddesdon: "A taste of Yorkshire that should be protected."

Pilling K, Hull: "Protect British products and jobs."

Marian Cox, Beverley: "The world's gone mad!"

Patricia Evans, Vancouver, Canada: "As an ex-pat who still buys and enjoys Wensleydale cheese here in Vancouver, I think it is important that it retains its uniqueness."

Paul Gardiner, Horton in Ribblesdale: "There is no better tasting cheese in the world. The white crumbling texture along with the taste makes it the best."

Glenys Dempsey, Morley, Leeds: "Everything that is best of our ENGLISH and particularly Yorkshire tradition shoudl be protected. It is part of our heritage and goodness only knows how much of that has already been taken away by the EU."

Geoffrey Taylor, Howden: "Wensleydale cheese is unique in the way that Champagne is unique and deserves the same protection."

Y Tweedale, Halifax: "It is unique to Yorkshre, using milk produced in Wensleydale."

Neil Milbanke, Pickering: "Traditional businesses should be considered part of our heritage and be protected as such."

Dr N Evans, Leeds: "It's name says why! It's Wensleydale. You would have to re-name it if it was not protected. Hands off!"

Mrs C Hall, Wakefield: "I want the original thing made in Wensleydale."

Melvyn Teare, St Albans: "Wensleydale cheese has a distinct flavour and texture."

Julie Ronchetti, Worthing, West Sussex: "I'm a Yorkshire lass now in the south. As a youngster I ate this cheese like people eat bread and I still eat it. It is unique and a class second to none."

Gemma Greaves, York: "Stop changing history! Soon we won't have anything left to appreciate except the past."

Matt Harris, Liverpool: "Having visited the creamery in Hawes and tasted the unbelievable cheese I won't even contemplate buying a Wensleydale that's not the real deal. Best cheese in the world!"

John Dowles, Bradford: "Cornish pasties and Champagne have EU rules to protect the integrity and heritage of these products, so Wallace's favourite topping on toast should also be protected."

Jayne Keighley, Harrogate: "I visited Wensleydale's dairy and bought some cheese last weekend. It's a lovely place."

Sue Ames, York: "I especially like the Wensleydale with cranberry!"

Emma Podmore, Bradford: "Good luck with this campaign!"

Jan Towers, Menston: "If feta can be protected so can Wensleydale."

Steve Howard, Beverley: "I cannot understand why Yorkshire specialist food producers haven't caught on to the benefits of protected status - Italy has been doing it for years."

"Shadow Traveller", Hampton, VA, USA: "Hoping for the best."

Dale Weincouff, River Grove, Illinois, USA: "Here goes another piece of our history cast to the wolves."

Graham Williams, Huddersfield: "Real cheeses are too rarely available these days and they should be protected and promoted. Many people would appreciate real cheese if they tried it."

Veronica Leader, Switzerland ex-pat: "We should conserve our heritage. There's not much more left in Britain today."

Helen Somerville, Brighouse: "Best cheese in the world."

Bryan Brightwell, Perth, W Australia: "No place like Yorkshire, no cheese like Wensleydale."

John Lawton, Barnsley: "I honeymooned in Wensleydale and go back as often as I can, especially to the Wensleydale Creamery but get fed up of seeing imitations in the shops which are nothing like the real thing!"

James Whiteley, London: "Because Yorkshire is best!"

Rev J Stokoe, Edlington: "If unique styles of food are to survive they must be given proper protection."

Alan Law, Redruth, Cornwall: "Exiled, homesick Yorkshireman living in Cornwall. My children love it as do I. There is nothing better than its rich creamy taste and crumbly texture."

Anne Ranger, Varese Ligure, Italy: "Living in Italy I am constantly bombarded by the wonder of Italian produce, as it is promoted on TV, through advertising and personal reccomendation. The Italians are very conservative in their eating habits and many of them know nothing of the food that it produced beyond their borders. When I tell them of the delicious products that come from England they are sceptical that we produce anything of worth. It think it is time we began to shout lodly about those things that we do well. Gaining the same protection for Wensleydale that it enjoyed by Parmesan would be a good beginning."

Eileen McCarthy, Leeds: "We must keep things like this English. We must hang on to our traditions."

Michael Andrew, Leeds: "The Champagne of Yorkshire cheeses, Wensleydale should have no less favour from Brussels than does the sparkling wine."

T Pickup, Barnsley: "We should be proud of our food and protect it from the bland mass producers. If it is called Wensleydale Cheese then that it where is should be produced, not in some vast factory in the south."

Brian Smart, Matlock: "The real Wensleydale is special. Imitations are never as good. The cheese should be given protected status to safeguard the special qualities of the cheese for the consumer, for the people of Wensleydale and for future generations."

Richard Barr, Upper Hutt, New Zealand: "Champagne and Feta are protected product names, so why not Wensleydale? It's about time someone in England got some benefit from EC membership."

Margaret Christiansen, Denmark: "Britain produces many really good cheeses which are not recognised outside the UK. It's time we supported our cheese industry or else we will have many foreign copies like all the cheddar copies of a cheese called cheddar but not having much relation to the original product."

David Frohlich, Pultneyville, New York: "My wife and I visited the creamery with our adopted family from Halifax. The economic revitalization accomplished there is a model that is inspirational. I have cited it on numerous occasions over here as a path worth emulating. The cheese is wonderful. We took several portions home with us. I wish it was available over here."

Catherine Nelson-Pollard, Nyon, Switzerland: "Although they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I believe Wensleydale cheese should have no imitations and be protected.

"As a Yorkshire expat and someone who has lived in over seven countries outside Yorkshire, it has been good to observe what other nationalities like to eat, and to discover their own food specialities.

"So I believe each country should be able to preserve and protect its traditions and make its food individual and Wensleydale cheese is no different. I have tried to extoll the virtues of Wensleydale cheese wherever I have lived. It is a wonderful cheese and should be allowed to remain unique to the wonderful area it comes from."

Jeffrey Davis, Doncaster: "More strength to your arm. Hope you succeed in your efforts."

Frederick Adcock, Selby: "Bread and cheese are the staff of life."

Tracey Miller, Kissimmee, Florida: "We should be proud of our produce and its heritage."

Betty and Andrew Entwistle, Hebden Bridge: "Wensleydale cheese is as unique as Parma ham."

Mike Holt, Rodley: "I have just purchased from a well known s/market selling Wensleydale cheese under the "Taste the difference" banner and from the Hawes creamery.

"On arriving home, some of the previous week's packet from the same store but off the standard shelf was in the fridge so I did my own tasting. By gum, there was a difference. So my question is, where does the standard 'imposter' come from?"

Christine Hirst, York: "Too much of our individuality is being hi-jacked by other countries."

Sarah Shrive-Morrison, Leavening: "I think it should be given protected status, due to the fact the UK were not allowed to call a cheese made here FETA. KEEP IT BRITISH."

Wendy Bolz, Conroe, Texas: "Every visit back to Pudsey 4 or 5 times a year we always buy Wensleydale and take back to the USA. Wish we could buy it in Texas."

Stuart Walters, Stafford: "The milk's local, the cheese is made in Wensleydale, it is totally true to its name in every way and I therefore feel 100% that it should be protected."

Samantha Ingram, Perth, Western Australia: "Memories of visting family in Wensleydale and eating the precious, unique, beautiful cheese. . . How sad it would be to let others 'copy' the recipe!"

Susan M Groves, Colorado Springs, USA: "Very rarely do I get the chance to eat real Wensleydale cheese now that I live in the USA. I was born and raised in North Yorkshire. Please keep it real for those of us who still appreciate the real thing."

Clare Hathaway, Leeds: "This cheese has been produced locally for over 100 years. The dairy emloys local people and the product should be considered a delicacy. Mass production of this cheese elsewhere may lead to falling prices which local producers may not be able to compete with, leading to us losing Wensleydale for ever."

Alan West, Chichester: "The damn Europeans should keep their noses in their own gooey smelly cheese, and out of the lovely crumbly Wensleydale!"

Ken Cooke, Ilkley: "Wensleydale deserves the same protection as other famous cheeses. Wensleydale Blue is one of my absolute favourites."

Jean Loveland, Richmond: "It is important to protect heritage and local producers."

Lesley Ryan, Bundanoon, Australia (born in Leeds): "I think that some things should be left just as they are. Don't fix something that is not broken."

Mick Moss, Rotherham: "Wensleydale Cheese is at the very heart of Yorkshire and its heritage and therefore must be protected."

Ms K J Goodin, Wirral: "Fabulous taste in a wonderful countryside location. Great trip from Harrogate to Wensleydale via abbey and ice cream parlour. Keep up the wonderful work, we'll come again."

Pamela Hague, Leyburn: "We operate a B&B in Wensleydale and are passionate supporters of local produce. Wensleydale cheese is a mainstay of our fragile economy and it is vital that this unique produce keeps its local identity."

Daniel Gaunt, Leeds: "It should be protected to stop our traditions and culture being exploited

R Smith, Scarborough: "A unique cheese from a unique dale in a unique county. Let's keep it that way!"

Michael Smith, Harrogate: "A unique product which should be protected. After all many European countries are doing it with their goods, eg Parma Ham."

John McAlley, Driffield: "The amount of 'unlike for like' produce confuses and dilutes the consumers choice. This practice also deprives the small or unique produce of revenue and enables the large operator to steal the market with mass produced bland produce."

S Glossop, Sheffield: "So many regional foods with Europe already have thir own 'Appellation Controlle' it seems only fair that the distinctive Wensleydale should enjoy similar protection."

Donna Stephens Manley, Chapel Hill, North Carolina: "Recently visited Thirsk - the uniqueness needs to be preserved."

Carole Jones, Wakefield: "Wensleydale cheese if very special and unique to the area."

Nigel Donkin, Selby: "We should protect our local foods now to give us better choice and reduce the power of hte major supermarkets. If these local producers had more support they would not need subsidies."

Keith Smith, Leeds: "Wensleydale cheese must not be copied. It is the best cheese in the world."

Janet Hall, Harrogate: "Why should we lose our identity just because we are in the EEC?"

Judith Kay, by email: "Definitely deserves protecting. It's a Yorkshire treasure. Accept no imitations!"

Mark Wilson, Dewsbury: "Protection should always be given to our history and in food there's no better history than Wensleydale cheese. Yorkshire's finest after LUFC!"

Ian and Jennifer Cuthbert, Kettlewell: "Living just over the hill from Hawes, we feel strongly that local products like Wensleydale cheese should be given equal protection to that afforded to the continental brands."

Peter Gunthorpe, Koonawarra, New South Wales: "I would like to be certain that the 'Wensleydale' cheese that I buy in Australia is a real bit of Yorkshire."

Derek Foot, Pickering: "We need to increase the amount of food grown/made locally for sale locally and stop transporting it hundreds of miles."

David Townend, Barnsley: "Wensleydale is a distinctive area that produces a special flavour to the cheese - this shouldn't be attempted to be poorly copied by other producers to end up with more bland cheeses."

Chris Wilson, Doncaster: "Taste it and you will know why."

Carol M Forbes, Highlands of Scotland:

"Wensleydale cheese,

Was invented to please,

It fair hits my spot,

With cranberries or not,

Plain with fruit pie,

It's the apple of my eye.

A taste made to tease,

That's Wensleydale Cheese.

"I have it sent to me by a friend back in Yorkshire, or if I'm at my mum's, I buy a stock at the market in Doncaster."

Mrs H Stevens, Battle: "I've always loved Wensleydale cheese, especially smoked Wensleydale - which, sadly, has now been discontinued in my area. I wish you every success in your campaign."

Brian Eaton, Brantford, Ontario: "Occasionally, our local supermarkets stock real cheeses, made where they originated, and I'm happy to say that sometimes we are able to buy real Wensleydale. Having suffered heavily salted Canadian Feta, Canadian Stilton and other Canadian copies, which vary wildly from the real thing, I am certainly in favour of keeping Wensleydale as its originators intended. We always get what we expect when buying it, and when my wife announces they have Wensleydale today, like Pavlovs dogs, I salivate. Good luck in your efforts to safeguard a local treasure."

David Wilson, Doncaster: "Because I've tasted it."

David J Durrant, Harrogate: "I am originally from Cheshire and grew up with Cheshire cheese. I don't want to eat Cheshire cheese not produced in Cheshire and do not want to eat Wensleydale or any other Yorkshire cheese for that matter that is made elsewhere. I hope they succeed."

Joan Shaw, Barnsley: "Wensleydale cheese is unique to the area and should remain so. Every other country in the EEC protects its own, so should we."

Glyn Shaw, Barnsley: "Keep Wensleydale cheese unique to Wensleydale or it will end up like Cheshire or Cheddar...tasteless, bland and made everywhere."

William James Sharp, Skipton: "My father was a friend of Kit Calvert. This cheese is Yorkshire born and bred and should remain so."

Will Mennell, Pickering: "Given that many overseas products with extremely tenuous regional identities have been protected Wensleydale has a genuine right to protection."

P Watson, York: "Long live Wensleydale."

Michelle Rowe, Driffield: "Now, more than ever, it is important to back our farmers and producers. We should be proud of our Yorkshire cheeses."

James & Valerie Andrews, Harrogate: "Yorkshire produce is the finest in the country, and thus the world. Leave it and us alone."

Anne Booth, Batley: "It deserves to be protected it is an example of our lovely heritage."

Mr R Clifford, Todmorden: "A special cheese deserves special status."

Paul Brown, Leeds: "The world deserves Wensleydale cheese from Wensleydale, made in the ancient, handed- down, traditional way. Heritage is easily lost and cannot be recovered."

Celia Rayner, Northampton: "Only Wensleydale cheese produced in the dale is the real stuff, supermarket imitations are rubbish compared to the Wensleysdale dairy's version."

Yann Ruvoen, Le Chat Noir, Scarborough: "I'm a French chef and worked previously for the French organisation in charge of the AOC. I find very important English producers start to realise the importance of local production, to preserve a part of their history and offer to the customers an alternative to mass produce food. I hope Wensleydale will obtain their protection."

Ian Lindley, Peebles: "Wensleydale cheese has a unique flavour and is a true taste of the Dales. It would be catastrophic if this specialist craftsman product suffered the same fate as Cheddar, the majority of which is bland and nondescript. Wensleydale is still special and worthy of protection."

Jim Thorpe, Huddersfield: "Wensleydale is as Yorkshire as Pontefract Cake, Yorkshire Pudding and Geoffrey Boycott himself. It should be kept forever Yorkshire. Save our cheese."

Pete Barnaby, Leeds: "Protect the cheese - we love cheese!"

Peter Day, Doncaster: "I'm sure some foreign cheeses are protected, so should Wensleydale."

Dr Walter, London: "As a Yorkshireman now temporarily 'exiled' in London, tasting the creamy Wensleydale cheese is relished (and has been for generations) when I either return home or visit the local supermarket. If other regional products are indelibly linked with their producers' locale, it is only logical for Wensleydale cheese to be given an exclusive location-mark in order to affirm and guarantee the retention of its traditional manufacturing method using local ingredients."

Mr and Mrs R Fantom, Scarborough: "Tis unique to the area and must remain so."

Margaret Cundill, Driffield: "Wensleydale cheese is so creamy and smooth it cannot be any other. I have been to the creamery and have tried most of the flavours and it is the best cheese in the world."

John Arnold, Otley: "Wensleydale Cheese is the one and only from Hawes!"

Christine Speranza, Sevenoaks: "I love cheese!!"

Pemberton, Leeds: "Save our regional farm products. Promote Yorkshire. We're the best."

Mr M E Wilson, Hull: "Uniquely Yorkshire. The very best."

Nancy Ciaffone, Durham, North Carolina, USA: "We travel to Hawes and Gayle about every other year, partly for the hiking, but mostly for the Wensleydale cheese. We especially love the mature, which we cannot get here in the states. Your cheeses sort of smell and taste like hiking through pastures. I'm getting hungry just thinking about them. Please protect the name, so I know I'm getting the real thing."

Lindsay Ross, Harrogate: "It is a tradition; it is Yorkshire; it is something we have a right to be proud of."

Margaret Courtney: "Isn't it about time we protected our heritage for food, just like the rest of the world protect theirs."

Richard Kitchen, Halifax: "I have recently bought two lots of Wensleydale when in London. Closer inspection revealed both had been made in Lancashire!"

Pamela Jessop, Wakefield: "How can Wensleydale cheese be manufactured anywhere else but in Wensleydale?"

Brian Kale, York: "Yorkshire Bred, and Yorkshire Born, that's me. The cheese belongs in Yorkshire so up the EEC!"

Sandra Massey, Ripon: "We will have nothing left that is British made. If we don't make a stand now it will be too late."

John Scatchard, Batley: "The Best Cheese."

Tim Wootton, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney: "Tradition, quality and uniqueness - not something you find everyday, so cherish it!"

Simon Brooke, Leeds: "With so many people in the modern day trying to quash our sense of nationality and pride lets not allow them to start taking away OUR greatest privilege - being Yorkshire and celebrating all things Yorkshire!!"

Lisa Dayne, London: "Alongside protection for local farmers and others just think what Wallace & Gromit would think!!!"

Andrew Burchill, Hatfield, Herts: "If it says Wensleydale on the label, it should only come from Wensleydale."

Matthew Sharpe, Kingston-Upon-Hull: "This shouldn't even require debate. The precedent has already been set with numerous products out there in the market place with protected status. Wensleydale is another in a long line which deserves to be recognised for its uniqueness and its history. There is only one Wensleydale!"

Sally Norman, Beverley: "I have been eating Wensleydale all my life. If it isn't made in Yorkshire it shouldn't be called Wensleydale as it doesn't have the same conditions and ingredients that traditional Wensleydale cheese is made from."

A Wardle, Wakefield: "The EU is very quick to provide protection to other cheeses such as feta and where else does Wenslydale exist in the EU? Nowhere. Therefore Wensleydale is unique to us. A gorgeous cheese at any time."

Ron Bannister, Wetherby: "Help to keep the memory of Kit Calvert alive who did so much for the Dales, not only cheese."

David Joyce, Huddersfield: "Great cheese,from a great area creating employment and enjoyment for some great people."

Glyn Simpson, York: "This is part of our Yorkshire heritage and should be protected for the benefit of the people of today and for the future generations so that the ways of Yorkshire folk are not lost forever."

Avril Skinner, Guiseley: "Please keep naming the cheese Yorkshire."

Maggie Poppa, Leeds: "We need to preserve our local cheeses as they are an integral part of Yorkshire."

Sue Massey, Leeds: "Fantastic tasting cheese which is produced locally. It's hard enough trying to find fruit grwn in the UK - don't let the EU take our cheese as well."

Linda McAvan MEP, Rotherham: "Congratulations on the campaign to have Wensleydale protected under EU rules."

Evan O'Connell, Dijon, France: "I'm Belgian-American, living in England for 12 years, and a penchant for Wensleydale is one of the most powerful remaining influences that Blighty has had on me. Save our Cheese!"

David Smith, Keighley: "This special cheese should be protected from imposters."

Samantha Dickens, Bradford: "If Feta cheese can only be made in Greece, then Wensleydale should have the same protection against poor-quality imitations."

Lynn Dickens, Bradford: "A true Yorkshire favourite that should be protected at the highest level."

Richard Dickinson, Ontario, Canada: "Although I have lived in Canada many years, seek out the Wensleydale whenever it is available. I have connections in Ilkley and always keep in touch with you all over there. I am saddened that the EU has so much to say in our private affairs. Nuff sed. Count me in."

Michael Driver, Albany, West Australia: "Long way away but want to protect our cheese."

Valerie Hart Cole, Pawleys Island, SC USA: "It's the best cheese and must be protected."

Robert Stewart, Sydney, Australia: "The cows are Tykes too and so is the milk and the cheese. Yorkshire rules."

P Watson, York: "Long live Wensleydale cheese."

David Coleman, Bristol: "Wensleydale should definitely be given protected status. We lost out in the Yorkshire Feta saga, let's claim one back! As an expat Tyke currently living in Bristol, I always buy Wensleydale rather than the local cheddar."

Allison, Cape Coral, Florida, USA: "I need to know that when I come home for a visit I can still get my favourite cheese. Good cheese and fish and chips is the only thing I crave from the UK."

Steven Bethell, Harrogate: "Why not? Feta can so I seek revenge."

Deborah Hugill, Hovingham: "We need to protect our heritage and local businesses - Yorkshire would not be the same without Wensleydale Cheese - keep it in Yorkshire."

Patricia Hardwick, Pickering: "I think you are right in getting this petition up, what is made in Yorkshire is ours nobody elses. So here's good luck to all at Wensleydale."

Judith Enyon, Norwich: "I was born in Wensleydale, and lived in Darlington for 60 years. I was brought up with Wensleydale cheese with fruit cake, mince pies and apple pie as well as every day. No better cheese can be bought.

"Still visit Hawes and Dales and buy the traditional Wensleydale wherever I can buy it. Now available at the specialist farmers' markets in Norwich. Hurray!"

Patricia O'Toole, Brussels: "All the innovation in the cheese recipes and all the work done to bring tourism into Hawes should be rewarded."

Carol Hall, Scarborough: "I have tasted plenty of cheeses in my time but nothing is as consistently good as Wensleydale."

Jennifer Warner, Settle: "It is unique to Wensleydale and should remain so."

Terry Bath, Doncaster: "Called at Morrison's today. Needs better sign on counter to make customers aware of a great tasting cheese."

J C Wells, Boroughbridge: "As a regular eater of Wensleydale cheese, I want to be sure it is made in Wensleydale. Champagne has to come from the Champagne region of France, apply the same rule here."

Tim Brett, Whelton, Lincs: "If protected status is not achieved then the EU countries will market cheese of poor quality under the name of Wensleydale."

Lucy Pryor, Westow: "As my grandmother lived in Wensleydale, I am happy to sign the petition."

Jim Barter, Sheffield: "God's own cheese."

S E Nicholson, Goole: "It is part of our heritage so please fight to protect it from cheap immitations."

Ruth Wilkinson, Morley: "It is another example of the European countries winning and Britain being slow off the mark to protect ourselves. We lost Yorkshire feta - they never claimed to be Greek!"

Jim Craddock, Glossop: "It's known worldwide and enjoyed worldwide, yet made right in the heart of the Dales - of course it should have protected status!."

Jean Sandford, Leeds: "Of course it should be protected. The Greeks/ French have their own cheese brands. I don't see why we should be any different, after all, we are in the EU (but why I'll never know!). They seem to have it all wrapped up between them."

Jennifer Baxandall, Pickering: "Wensleydale is unique and should remain so!"

G Ian Goodwin, Birmingham: "Not only Wensleydale, but Lancashire, Cotherstone and other great regional cheeses. Some might be hard to reclaim, e.g cheddar, but we should save as many as possible."

Edwin Page, Threshfield, Skipton: "It is a uniquely regional commodity on a par with Champagne in France and sherry in Spain."

Victoria Bernarth, Sand Hutton: "Wensleydale should be protected for the sake of its quality and the fine standard it currently possesses. Otherwise, this unique morsel will go the way of the dodo."

Richard Moseley, Holmfirth: "Wensleydale is an itegral part of Yorkshire, thus so should its cheese be."

Mark Wood, Hull: "I visited the creamery in Hawes recently, and really enjoyed the visit."

Linore Rose Burkard, Waynesville, Ohio: "Protection will ensure visitors (like me!) will only get the real thing."

John McAlley, Garton-on-the-Wolds: "Hard working people must protect their livelihood to survive."

Geoff and Sheila Fairless, Newmarket, Ontario: "It's a wonderful cheese. Let the others live or die on the merits of their products with names that do NOT mislead the consumer into thinking he is buying Wensleydale cheese. The "pirates" would squawk like stuck pigs if the shoe were on the other foot."

Maureen Firth, Wombwell: "It is a uniquely Yorkshire cheese with a uniquely Wensleydale flavour."

S W Kilburn, Halifax: "Keep up the pressure in your campaign. Well done."

Mark McCaghrey, Lowestoft: "As a cheese lover I support the campaign to have Wensleydale as a PDO."

Keith Watmough, Keighley: "Just as unique to an area as, say, Melton Mowbray pies so why not. What about Yorkshire pudding whilst we are at it?"

Evan O'Connell, Dijon, France: "I'm Belgian-American, lived in England for 12 years, and a penchant for Wensleydale is one of the most powerful remaining influences that Blighty has had on me. Save our cheese!"

Jim Craddock, Glossop: "It's known and enjoyed worldwide, yet made right in the heart of the Dales - of course it should be given protected status!"

Mr R Tomlinson, Burnley: "Please add my name to your campaign to protect Wensleydale cheese being made in Yorkshire."

Nicole Strachan, Bradford: "It is a unique taste of Yorkshire; how can Wensleydale be made anywhere but in Wensleydale?"

J & K Ford, Chesterfield: "Local produce should be protected to stop copies being sold on the open market."

Dorothy Johnson, Selby: "Wensleydale cheese should not be made anywhere else except Wensleydale."

Theresa Walton, Bradford: "N'ault like it for taste, superb."

Helen Wood, Wakefield: "Wensleydale is part of our heritage and should be protected - would Champagne be called Champagne if it was made anywhere else."

Lisa Tanner, Pontefract: "Locally produced, regional foods need to be protected. They are an important part of our history and far better for us than mass produced foods."

Thelma Hargreaves, Cleckheaton: "It is essential that the names and trademarks of products from the Yorkshire Dales need protection."

George Hargreaves, Cleckheaton: "Industry is difficult in the Yorkshire Dales and origins of products need protection from imitation."

Ann Ward, York: "Wensleydale cheese has a unique flavour and texture and could never be confused with any other cheese."

Eric Wildman, Hiki, Finland: "Born and bred ini Yorkshire, always loved the unique taste and texture of Wensleydale, so it should not be spoiled or endangered in any way."

Pauline Hornsey, North Cave: "We should keep local produce as it is and not allow imitations, how can they call it Wensleydale unless it is made there?"

Mavis Harper, Ripon: Wensleydale cheese should be given protected status because only the cheese made in the dale from local milk has the true taste, and too much copying by inferior 'supermarket' cheese gives a poor imitation of the real thing."

Peter Walton, Bradford: "Tastiest cheese in the whole wide world."

Mrs G Hodgson, Whitby: "Wensleydale cheese is unique to the area. It is produced by cows grazing the pastures of Wensleydale. This flavour cannot be re-created anywhere else."

Michael Hughes, Wetherby: "I admire the French for exercising Patriotic Economics. It's about time we followed suit."

Val Ferguson, Wetherby: "It's about time we started protecting our produce as do the Europeans."

B Dalton, Skipton: "It should be protected without doubt."

Linda Smith, Gomersal: "We should celebrate and promote Wensleydale cheese as it is a food which is unique to the area in which it is produced."

Richard Trevor Rutherford, Nottingham: "It should be made public where Wensleydale cheese is made now and where the milk comes from and hence why it is so special. Other cheeses made to the same process but from non-Wensleydale milk should be called 'Wensleydale style' or similar (all in the same sized lettering) and the area the milk is from shoudl also be stated on the labelling (again in the same size lettering)."

John Rhead, Sheffield: "This cheese has a unique flavour from local fed milk."

Nigel Ezard, Ilkley: "My favourite cheese ever."

Mr R Crowe, Bridlington: "There is far mroe to proper Wensleydale cheese than the making - nowhere else has the grass of the dale on which the cows feed.

Mrs H A Burniston, Doncaster: "There is only one place called Wensleydale in the UK. When I was a child going with my mother to see my aunt, Mrs Jessie Blades, who lived in Hawes, Aunty (50 years ago) took us to see the cheese being made. It has its own taste and flavour, there is no other cheese like it."

Jo Abson, Oakworth: "Wensleydale with cranberries - mmm nice cheese Gromit!"

Sally Barraclough, Liversedge: "Wensleydale is a place, just like Parma, so there should be no question."

Michele Harrison, Yeadon: "A great uncle of mine would lift the pastry lid of an apple pie and place a slice of cheese underneath before eating it. Always saying, as he did so: 'Apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze'. Needless to say, Wensleydale was his favourite."

Sarah Hirst, Holmfirth: "We should help to preserve our Yorkshire heritage - and Yorkshire businesses."

Dawn Pamment, Dewsbury: "In the words of Wallace & Gromit, 'Cracking cheese!'"

Miss J Sellers, Whitby: "It's Yorkshire's history."

Mrs A Bell, Hawes: "Wensleydale cheese is unique & any imitations are of poor quality and give wensleydale cheese a bad repuatation!"

Mary Burnett, Winterton: "There is no other cheese as good

Pamela Firth, Mirfield: "We must, as Yorkshire people, show our support for Yorkshire farmers and products. We all love our unique Yorkshire Dales and farming is at the heart of them, making them what they are. Let's not lose touch with our tradition and heritage and support the Wensleydale Creamery and the associated farmers wholeheartedly. It is difficult enough finding employment in rural areas and the Wensleydale Creamery contributes greatly to the economy of Wensleydale."

Brian E. Hill, Bridlington: "I was born in Cheddar and we have never been given protection. I hope Wenselydale can enjoy that right."

Dr C Rhodes, Scarborough: "This is a superb Yorkshire product relying on Yorkshire farmers for local milk. As such it should be protected."

Harold Trickett: "Best cheese by far and why not keep it Yorkshire - the Greeks do with feta."

Anne Ruddick, Rawtenstall: "For once the EEC can do something useful."

G Rawling, Guisborough: "The best cannot be improved upon."

D & Y Readman, Whitby: "When buying food we do like to know what we are eating and where it comes from. With genuine Wensleydale cheese we have no problem."

John Craven, Mirfield: "It must come from Yorkshire to be 'crakin Wensleydale'!"

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