THERE were big smiles from dairy producers Curworthy Cheese on the opening day of the show.

The Jacobstowe cheesemakers scooped two first and three second prizes for their delicious handmade cheese, produced using milk from their Holstein/Friesian herd at Stockbeare Farm.

Rachel Stephens, who employs five staff, said competition results were up on last year — perhaps a consequence of the last few cool, wet summers, which have been good for cheesemaking.

Rachel said: 'We've been coming to the show for about 20 years now.

'It's got a lot bigger over the years, and as far as the food and drink side is concerned, it's a lot better.

'There are a lot more local producers now. We are actively promoting this and trying to get more small, local Devon cheesemakers to enter the competitions.'

And it was not only the competition stakes that were getting hotter — as the sun began to break through the clouds, the heat in the food and drink tent was creeping up noticeably.

'It's not like when they had the old tents with the wooden poles — you'd get a nice draught coming through then,' said Rachel.