CHEESE-loving animated pair Wallace and Gromit returned to their first love yesterday - and celebrated the joys of Wensleydale.

After their brief flirtation with Gloucestershire-made cheese Stinking Bishop, the animated duo made it clear where their hearts and tastebuds really lie.

They travelled to the Hawes home of the Wensleydale Creamery for the launch of a new range of cheeses.

And they brought with them a set used in the feature-length film - Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

To reflect the backdrop of the film's plot, Wensleydale Creamery became a village green for the day and visitors were invited to take part in sideshows and games, including a cheese-themed coconut shy and face painting for the children.

In keeping with the film, the festivities were completed by that peculiarly British tradition, a display some very large vegetables.

The new cheeses include Wensleydale with carrot and orange, Leicester with leeks and Cheddar with cherrybell peppers and sun-dried tomatoes.