TWO Cotswold food producers have won top titles at this year’s British Cheese Awards.

Daylesford Organic, owned by Carole Bamford, the wife of JCB tycoon Sir Anthony, scooped top prize in the best organic cheese category for its Aldestrop cheese.

The awards, which are in their 17th year, were held at Cardiff Castle on September 25. There were almost 900 entries from 189 cheese makers which were judged by 56 cheese experts.

New food emporium Deli Allium, in Fairford, also impressed judges and was named runner-up in the new cheese retailer category.

The delicatessen, which opened its doors just four months ago, follows in the footsteps of Restaurant Allium which won cheeseboard of the year at the 2008 awards.

Owner Catherine Elliott said she was over the moon with the runner-up title.

"To receive such recognition so quickly is an incredible honour," she said.

"Support for local food producers, including the finest that the Cotswolds has to offer is central to our approach and is something we feel especially passionate about when it comes to selecting our range of cheeses."

She said she hoped the result would encourage local people to rediscover the joy of cheese.