A FAMILY-run cheese company is reaping the rewards after re-launching a product to mark a fresh start two years ago following family tragedy.

Richmond-based The Swaledale Cheese Company, run by brother and sister team Louise and Sam Reed, has picked up two British Cheese Awards for its smoked goats cheese, Courage, which was re-launched in 2013 in memory of their parents.

David and Mandy Reed set up the company in 1987, but Mr Reed, who first developed the cheese, died suddenly in 2005 and Mrs Reed died in 2012.

Ms Reed said at the British Cheese Awards, held at the Royal Bath and West Show, they won a gold medal and a best flavour added cheese award for Courage, which is traditionally smoked over oak chippings.

She said: “We have entered the awards every year and regularly win medals, although we have not won this award before.

“To win such a high accolade for Courage, which Sam and I re-launched in memory of our parents, is amazing and a wonderful tribute.

“It’s a seal of approval from industry experts and people that knew our parents well so that just makes it all the more important. Winning awards like this shows we continue to produce cheese to the highest quality just as our parents did.”

At the Great Yorkshire Show earlier this month, Swaledale Cheese also picked up a silver award for its Swaledale Goat, and a bronze for Old Peculier Swaledale, which is made with Theakstons’ Old Peculier Ale.