Stilton is only made in three counties

Health Minister Lord Warner defended the Food Standard Agency's (FSA) drive to cut the level of salt in foods.

He said traditional products like Stilton, which is only made in the East Midlands, are part of the campaign but the targets were voluntary.

Some members of the House of Lords have objected to proposals to cut the salt content in Stilton by up to 5%.

Local cheese-makers say the distinctive flavour would be lost if the salt was reduced and texture would be affected.

The minister said the FSA was looking at developing salt reduction targets for 88 different food categories, so "it was not picking on Stilton or the Vale of Belvoir".