Lovers of local food are in for a festive treat with the creation of a new Norfolk cheese hamper, launched today and aimed at the Christmas market.

Eastern Daily Press: Sam Steggles and his son William at Fielding Cottage.Sam Steggles and his son William at Fielding Cottage. (Image: Submitted)

The hamper is a combination of several popular brands made in the county – cheeses from Fielding Cottage, Mrs Temple and Ferndale, plus Norfolk Crier onion marmalade from Foulsham-based Candi's Chutney.

The creation is the latest step in the success story of Fielding Cottage, a goats' cheese, milk and meat producer based at Honingham.

The business, headed by Sam Steggles, has been running for four years.

In 2014 there have been several successes, culminating in the launch of the hamper, called the Fielding Cottage Taste of Norfolk Cheese Hamper and launched at today's Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival at Snape Maltings.

Mr Steggles has this summer started selling a new brie-style cheese called Wensum White, as well as winning a commendation from the FreeFrom Skin Care Awards for his goats' milk hand and body lotion.

'It's been a good year,' said Mr Steggles.

'It's a real pleasure to have got to the stage where we can launch the hamper, it contains everything you need to create a wonderful Norfolk cheese board for up to a dozen people.

'There are some excellent products in it, our own Norfolk Mardler and Wensum White, Mrs Temple's Binham Blue, Ruby Dapple from Ferndale, the crispbreads from Peter's Yard and marmalade from Candi – and all in a lovely wicker hamper.

'Hopefully people will love it for lots of reasons, but it would certainly be ideal as a Christmas gift.'

The new Wensum White product was 'going down a storm' added Mr Steggles.

'It's been on sale for a few weeks now and it's already got a following.

'Creating new products still gives me the same buzz as it did on day one. You go to your farmers' markets or food fairs and people come up and say how fantastic the cheese is, how it's the best cheese they've ever tasted. It's an enormous sense of pride.'

One of Mr Steggles greatest pleasures is introducing cynical potential customers to his cheeses.

'It's quite common for people to come to the stall and say 'I don't like goats' cheese'. I then give them a taste and their pre-conceived ideas fall away, they realise it can be a wonderful thing, not something that smells like a billygoat!'

The FreeFrom commendation was particularly pleasing, said Mr Steggles.

'We have had some amazing feedback about the lotion from eczema and psoriasis sufferers, one customer called it 'lifesaving'.'