Cheese firm hails 'overwhelming' response after £300,000 theft

The owners of Neal's Yard Dairy said they had received an "overwhelming" response after it emerged that more than 22 tonnes of cheddar had been stolen from the London cheese specialist.

- Ben Quinn

An elaborate theft saw the company deliver 950 wheels of cheddar - reported to be worth as much as £300,000 - to an alleged fraudster posing as a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.

The cheese is believed to have been spirited away to Russia or the Middle East, according to suppliers to the company who were caught up in the scam on 21 October.

While police in Britain have launched an investigation and are working with international authorities, members of the public and figures from the world of food have rallied round the retailer.