THE boss of one of North Yorkshire's best known food producers rubbed shoulders with David Cameron at an EU Referendum campaign event.

Wensleydale Creamery managing director David Hartley attended a Downing Street reception and was among leaders of 13 food industry firms - which believe their interests would be better served by staying in a reformed EU - that showcased their produce at the event.

In a speech at the event, Mr Cameron said food and drink exports from Yorkshire to the EU reached over £700m last year, while the region's food and drink industry employed more than 250,000 people.

Mr Hartley, said: “We believe that the best interests of our business and that of the 41 local farms who supply us with milk, would be better served by staying in a reformed EU.

“Our heritage and provenance makes Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese taste truly unique, and we’re delighted that this is officially recognised with European Protected Food Name Status.

“The European protection gives our business instant recognition, elevating our profile as a producer of quality cheese, and differentiates our Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese from that of other producers."