A TOP cheese has been named the best of its kind.

Laverstoke Park Farm’s buffalo mozzarella won gold at the International Cheese Awards.

Jody Scheckter, former Formula One world champion who owns the farm, hired a top Italian mozzarella expert to help perfect the cheese.

He said: “This involves science, passion and buffalo milk from our own herd. Our buffalo live most of their lives enjoying our fresh grasses in the fields unlike most buffalo in Italy who live their lives in sheds.”

The farm has around 2,000 water buffalo and produces its mozzarella using Italian equipment, which by coincidence, is made in the same town in Italy which is home to Ferrari - Maranello.

Mr Scheckter said: “It’s taken many years of refining our procedures from the pastures through to the finished mozzarella ball.”

He added: “To win a competition of this level with over 4,500 entries, including many mozzarellas from Italy, I am incredibly proud.”

Peter Mitchell, one of the judges, described Laverstoke’s cheese as “definitely the best!”