Stilton sales have plunged 30pc after restaurants were forced to shut during the coronavirus crisis – putting scores of British cheese makers are at risk of going bust.

Demand for Britain’s only trademark-protected cheese has plummeted as restaurants, farmers markets and events are closed or suspended during lockdown, with export markets also affected.

Dairy farms have also been hit by the pandemic, according to industry trade body the Stilton Cheese Makers Association (SCMA). Companies behind the product use milk from at least 70 farms across the UK, many of which are fifth generation dairy farmers.

Consumers have been urged to buy Stilton instead of continental blue cheese to help protect the future of the dairy industry.

Robin Skailes, chairman of the SCMA and director of Cropwell Bishop Creamery, said: "Like many British food producers, Stilton sales have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We hope that the British public will support us by buying Stilton instead of imported blue cheeses which, in turn, will support British dairy farmers."

Stilton makers have continued to produce the cheese throughout the crisis but as demand falls producers fear vast quantities of milk could be wasted.

Stilton was given legal protection by trademark status in 1966, the only British cheese to have been awarded this certification.

It also has protected designated origin (PDO) status, meaning it can only be labelled Stilton if its produced in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Other British foods with PDO status include Scotch beef and Jersey Royal potatoes.