Wensleydale cheese gets boost from Chris Evans

BREAKFAST DJ Chris Evans has revealed his love of Real Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese.

The radio star, who took over Terry Wogan’s show on BBC Radio Two last month, told millions of listeners how much he enjoyed the cheese which is made at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.

He mentioned it when Wensleydale was an answer to a crossword puzzle.

He said: “I went to the Wensleydale factory once and it was great – it was a great day out.”

He praised the visitor centre saying: “you should see the shop!” adding: “Who wouldn’t want to spend a day just in there?”

He added that cheese-based dishes served at the creamery’s restaurant were “just the best ever”.

Evans is the latest celebrity to come out with their love of the cheese which achieved an international audience in the films featuring cartoon characters Wallace and Gromit.

In a campaign backed by the Yorkshire Post, the creamery is seeking to protect Real Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese by applying for Protected Designation of Origin status. This would give it the same title as Champagne and Parma ham and mean other manufacturers could not make it and call it Wensleydale.

More than 200 staff and 50 farming families depend on the creamery which has been produced in the area since 1150.

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague has seen the benefits of the creamery in his Richmond constituency.

He said: “It is a champion in supporting rural livelihoods through its use of local farms to supply its milk.”