AN AWARD-winning cheesemaker has sealed a tasty licensing deal with the creators of Wallace and Gromit that they say represents the perfect partnership.
Hawes-based Wensleydale Creameries, the only makers of the fictional characters' favourite cheese, have renewed their deal with Aardman Animations.
The two companies have much in common besides cheese.
While Wallace and Gromit have bagged more than 90 international awards, including two Academy Awards, Wensleydale brought home more than 30 international cheese awards this year alone, including the World Cheese award for best British cheese.
David Hartley, managing director of Wensleydale Dairy Products, said: "We gained the licensing rights to Wallace and Gromit in 1996, the early days of our management buy-out from Dairycrest, and I can credit much of the creamery's present success from the initial deal with Aardman and the endearing popularity of this dynamic duo.
"Wensleydale and the animators have much in common: both companies deal with artisanship in both animation and cheesemaking."
Mr Hartley added: "Aardman were keen on granting rights to companies with a similar ethos to their own, quality, craftsmanship, innovativeness and a touch of the Aardman eccentricity. We are lucky, nestled deep in the Dales, and we can satisfy all their requirements."
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