FRESH from being crowned Supreme Champion in the British Cheese Championships 2006, Hampshire's Tunworth Soft Cheese has landed another major award.

This time the honour of winning Supreme Champion in the Small Producers Awards of supermarket giant Waitrose comes with the bonus of £10,000 to invest in the business.

Judges unanimously picked producer Hampshire Cheeses' Tunworth, branding it a "fantastic product", despite it not currently being stocked by the firm.

Hand made by Hampshire Cheese owners Julie Cheyney and Stacy Hedges on their family farm in Herriard, near Alton, Tunworth has made a big name for itself in the three years since it was first produced. As well as receiving praise from chefs at many top restaurants, including Chewton Glen in Hampshire and London's fashionable The Wolseley, Tunworth also regularly sells out at farmers markets across the region.

Julie said: "Winning the award was such a surprise for us. It is wonderful that Waitrose recognises small producers such as us. This will really help to invest in our business and move it forward."

Waitrose buyer Graham Cassie said: "Tunworth Soft Cheese is a fantastic product - the judges loved complex flavours and balance in textures.

Not only that, but the business has been founded on a wise and forward-thinking commercial approach. Hampshire Cheeses is a great business, and we're delighted to award them the title of Supreme Champion."