A LUDLOW delicatessen owner has been selected by the Guild of Fine Foods to judge at this year’s World Cheese Awards in London’s Olympia.

Henry Mackley, manager and co-proprietor of Harp Lane Deli in Ludlow, is among only 250 experts from around the globe selected to judge in the world’s most prestigious cheese competition.

Mr Mackley is a trained chef who has worked as a cheesemonger at Harvey Nichols and previously managed the delicatessen at Ludlow Food Centre.

He opened Harp Lane Deli in July this year after an extensive six-month refurbishment.

“To be selected to judge alongside some of the most respected experts in this industry is a real honour, and was a very pleasant surprise," said Mr Mackley.

"We take our cheese very seriously at Harp Lane, so to be picked is not only a great personal accolade but a huge pat on the back for my hard-working and knowledgeable team.”

“Our ‘mighty cheese wall’ is one of our greatest features. "Our cheeses mature in here at the perfect temperature and humidity.

"We currently stock around 60 artisan cheeses from Britain and the Continent and we taste them every day to ensure they reach our customers in perfect condition.”

An anticipated 3,000 cheeses will be judged at this year’s event, which runs concurrently with the BBC Good Food Show.