THE Hawes-based Wensleydale Creamery has been celebrating red, white and blue success in three major competitions across the British Isles.

The creamery began its patriotic run at Scotland's Royal Highland Show with its Blue Wensleydale which was declared reserve champion. At the Great Yorkshire Show the company's Traditional White Wensleydale and Cheshire cheeses won top prizes.

Finally, the creamery completed the colours of the Union flag by being declared supreme champion at the Royal Welsh Show with its red Double Gloucester.

The Hawes cheesemaker achieved five first prizes at the three shows as well as receiving the Wensleydale Cup for the Best Wensleydale Cheese and its own prize, the Wensleydale Dairy Products Trophy, for the Best Yorkshire Product.

The creamery also won the best new dairy product at the Great Yorkshire Show with the recently-launched Cheddar with Cherry Bell Peppers and Sun-dried Tomatoes'.

The creamery's Alice Amsden said: "The milk supplied from 32 farms in upper Wensleydale has a truly special flavour and can be used to make the best cheese, even Double Gloucester!

"Maybe Wallace & Gromit can now be converted to Blue Wensleydale instead of Stilton."

l Still in Hawes, the Auction Mart Caf has won a commemorative certificate in the Farmers Weekly Britain's Best Market Caf 2004' competition.

Run by Eileen Beresford, the caf's most popular choices are the roast of the day, and the steak and kidney pie.

When it comes to dessert, treacle sponge, apple crumble and bread and butter pudding are the most popular choices for farmers at this busy North Yorkshire mart.

According to one fan of the caf, most of the meals are not for the feint-hearted, although salads are on offer, and half-portion dinners are available for older customers and children.

Eileen often starts baking scones at 5am during busy times and may not finish work until midnight.

The caf has five staff which can rise to as many as 17 at busy times such as the October tup sales.