Farmers and employees at The Lake District Creamery are celebrating after winning a prestigious industry award.

The Lake District Cheese Co Extra Mature Cheddar lifted gold in The Grocer Food & Drink Awards 2011 in London, beating off national competition for the prize.

The ‘rich and rugged’ Extra Mature Cheddar, created at the creamery, triumphed in the cheese category of the awards, which are among the most highly regarded across the sector and celebrate the very best of food and drink in the country. 

Creamery manager Martin Lomas and his 82-strong team are delighted at the victory.  “This award gives us a flying start to 2011.  To win a high profile accolade like this is testament to the teamwork from our farmers and their cows to our cheese makers and everyone involved in each link of the chain.  It is a truly joint effort,” said Martin.

Martin Sharp, who farms at Wolsty Hall in Silloth and is part of a team of First Milk producers working more closely with the creamery, is equally thrilled at the success.

“It’s great to see our Lake District cheese winning national awards.  When I see the cheese in the supermarket, I get a huge sense of pride knowing that our milk from the farm has gone into making the finest quality Cheddar,” he added.

This award – to add to the many other accolades the creamery has won – is another success in the rise of The Lake District Cheese Co brand

The Mature and Extra Mature cheeses are currently selling a million packs a month – that’s one pack every three seconds – with the aim of moving into the Top Three Cheddar brands in the UK.