WALLACE and Gromit, the loveable inventor and his smart dog, have done much to further the good name of Wensleydale cheese across the world.

But not any more. For now it appears that the pair have forsaken their favourite cheese in favour of a foreign replacement.

In the seven years since their last animated adventure, the Oscar-winning duo have developed a taste for Dutch Edam.

Not only that, but Edam plays a key role in their new production. Ten new short films, entitled Cracking Contraptions, have been produced, and the first can be downloaded from the BBC website today. The remaining films will be broadcast on BBC 1 this autumn.

Despite his love of Wensleydale in earlier films, BBC spokesman Arthur Sheriff confirmed that Wallace's tastes have broadened.

"Wallace is a lover of all cheese, and we're afraid there is no mention of the Wensleydale variety in the new series," he said.

"But that is not to say he is off Wensleydale in any shape or form."

One company that is unhappy about Wallace's changing tastebuds is the Wensleydale Creamery, with plants at Hawes and Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon.

Following the three 30-minute films - A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave - their Wensleydale cheese sales rocketed.

A special Wallace and Gromit version of the cheese was produced to capitalise on the link. Creamery director Alice Amsden said: "The fact that Wallace was such a huge fan of the cheese lifted the sales of real Wensleydale from Hawes dramatically.

"Naturally it is a great disappointment that Wallace has chosen not to eat the cheese in the new series, but hopefully another film will be made and Wensleydale cheese will get a mention then."

The first film of the new series - Soccamatic - is available at: www.bbc.co.uk/wallaceandgromit