A nationwide campaign to promote British cheese launched at the annual British Cheese Festival in Gloucestershire. Specialist Cheese Makers Association secretary Clare Cheney said: "This two-day festival is a huge boost to public awareness. "Some 700 regional and speciality cheeses from 150 cheesemakers were exhibited, it was our biggest event to date, and a fine start to British Cheese Week." The cheese festival started with the annual British Cheese Awards, this year sponsored by Waitrose. Buying director Steven Esom said: "We want to celebrate this country's rich and varied cheese pedigree by acknowledging the best cheesemakers, large and small." Aged Cerney from Cerney Cheese picked for the supreme champion prize and Best Soft White Cheese. Best modern British cheese went to Swinzie from Dunlop Dairy, and SCA patron Prince Charles' Highgrove House Starvall Royal unpasteurised cheese won Best New Cheese. {{NEWS }}