A Lake District cheesemaker and a Michelin-starred chef will represent Cumbria at the second annual British Cheese Weekender later this month.

The event, launched last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic, returns from 5pm on April 23 with three days of free online cheese events.

Martin Gott, who farms at Holker Farm Dairy, Cark, and owns Manchester cheesemongers New Market Dairy, will hold a session at 6.30pm on April 24, followed by a session with L'Enclume chef Simon Rogan at 7.30pm.

Mr Gott said: "The British Cheese Weekender is designed to help raise awareness with as many customers as possible of the sheer quality and diversity of artisan made farmhouse cheeses from around the British Isles.

"This is especially crucial at the moment, as many of the makers have had a particularly challenging time surviving in the face of Covid, when many lost much of their hospitality trade during successive lockdowns.

"As a sector we are hugely proud of how far we’ve come but in order to be able to continue to grow and bring new cheeses to market in the coming months and years we will all need the support of the British public, support for which we are all very grateful and hope to see continue long into the future.’’

Mr Rogan added: ''Over the years I've wholeheartedly supported British producers and have long championed our cheese makers, in particular makers like Martin Gott and Nicola Robinson the creators of St James, based on our doorstep just outside Cartmel, traditional-style cheddar like Westcombe, from Somerset and innovative cheeses including my personal favourite, rich and oozy Tunworth, from Hampshire.

"Which is why I am happy to lend my support to the Great British Cheese Weekender and help shout about our distinctive British farmhouse cheeses.''