DAVID Williams is one of more than 300 volunteers receiving a prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Services for their efforts in helping to organise the popular Cheshire County Show.

Mr Williams, of David Williams Cheeses, based in Crewe, is a regular exhibitor at the annual show and his family has been involved in the food hall and cheese marquee committees for generations, as well as entering the company's cheeses into the show's competitions.

This year he won two gold awards for his sticky toffee cheddar and his cheddar with walnuts.

Mr Williams told The Sentinel he thought it was fantastic all the volunteers are to be given a Queen's Award because it recognises how much effort has gone into creating the Cheshire Show each year.

He said: "The recognition makes it all worthwhile. A lot of people don't understand all the hard work and input that goes into the show.

"All the volunteers are committed to making the Cheshire Show the best show in the country. We work towards it all year round and for us it's not just a two-day event because of all the work that goes into setting it up."

Matt Nichols, project manager at David Williams Cheeses, added: "It's a big job behind the scenes so it's great to see people's efforts being rewarded with the Queen's Award."

Crowds of people swarmed round the Williams' cheese stall yesterday, eager to try their new Madras curry flavoured cheddar.

Andy Holdsworth, aged 44, of Abbey Road, Sandbach, said: "I've never tried a curry flavoured cheese before, but it works. I think it would go quite well with some poppadoms and mango chutney.

"It's great to be able to try out different cheeses and you can buy things here that you wouldn't normally get in the supermarket."

Organisers say more than 75,000 visitors passed through the gates at the county show yesterday and on Tuesday.

Dozens of attractions were lined-up to celebrate the region's food, farming and countryside. Visitors were entertained with a variety of activities, displays and demonstrations including clay shooting, bee keeping and shire horse jumping.

Nigel Evans, executive director of the show, said this year's show had been the best for a number of years for crowd attendance, weather and the variety of attractions. He said: "Ticket sales on the gates were all up on last year with estimated visitor numbers of more than 75,000 across the two days.

"There has been an excellent buzz around the show ground. It proves that despite the current economic conditions, people want to come to an event like the Cheshire Show and appreciate the rich heritage, agricultural success and entrepreneurial talent of our county.

"It's thanks to the support of volunteers, exhibitors and visitors that the show has been so successful, so a big thank you to everyone for their efforts."