A MONMOUTHSHIRE man’s ‘cheesy’ music taste could win him a year’s supply of Cheddar.

Alwyn Thomas, of Llandogo, is one of the finalists in the British Cheese Board’s competition to devise a national anthem for the much-loved food.

The UK-wide competition was launched earlier this year to celebrate British Cheddar and invited cheese lovers to pen lyrics set to the patriotic tunes of God Save the Queen, Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem.

The shortlisted entries now face a public vote to decide the winner.

Mr Thomas told the Argus his upbeat techno rendition of God Save Our Cheese has influenced by his love of Seventies music, which he believes was one of the ‘cheesiest periods ever’.

It also links with his discovery that birds sing at the same tempo as some tracks by pop stars Beyonce and Kylie Minogue.

That is why the amateur songwriter features a blackbird on his cheese anthem, which he recorded singing at 4am in his Gwent garden.

The 52-year-old made the song on his computer and is one of five finalists in with a chance of winning a year’s supply of British Cheddars, supplied by British Cheese Board members and two passes to Blur star and celebrity cheesemaker Alex James’ Food and Music festival in September.

“If I did win first prize I would certainly get my friends to help me eat it and my son Grant, he is like a mouse,” Mr Thomas said.

“The whole thing is very cheesy, but I have got to be honest I like cheesy things.”

Listen to Alwyn Thomas' cheese song (Alwyn Thomas' entry is at the bottom of the page)

To vote for Mr Thomas and hear his entry, visit Britishcheese.com by August 3.

Alwyn Thomas' cheese anthem

OUR NATION’S CHEESE

VERSE 1

We love our Cheddar Cheese,

No imitations please,

We love our cheese.

Creamy, sometimes mature,

It’s what your cracker’s for,

Melts in your mouth for sure,

Our nation’s cheese.

VERSE 2

Started in Somerset,

No better cheese as yet,

We love our cheese.

Yellow and rich in hue,

Great with potatoes new,

Everyone form a queue

For our nation’s cheese.

VERSE 3

Curds and whey separate,

Then become something great,

Our nation’s cheese.

Grated or slice by slice,

Either way tastes so nice,

We don’t need asking twice

For our nation’s cheese.