A COUPLE are celebrating winning first place at the Great Yorkshire Show for their home made cheese.

Brian and Esme Dedman, who live at West Leaside Farm in Hilton, County Durham, took first place for their White Hilton cheese and third for their lemon flavour curd cheese.

The couple started making cheese as a retirement hobby in 2012 after Mrs Dedman completed a three-day cheese making course.

They now sell at several farmers' markets and supply delicatessens and local restaurants, including Headlam Hall.

Mrs Dedman, who worked as a microbiologist before she retired, said: “The course gave me the confidence to start playing around and seeing what I could make.

“People were really complimentary and said we should sell it, so we did.”

The feedback from the judges at the Great Yorkshire Show said the very attractive and unique White Hilton cheese has gentle and subtle notes with flavour that builds to an interesting finish.

Mr Dedman said: “We never expected to win because there are so many different cheeses. Everything that we make has won a prize and we just can’t believe it.”

Mr and Mrs Dedman will be at the Taste of Teesdale festival in Raby Castle on Sunday (July 20).