A gift hamper could be the perfect way to cheer up those disappointed by news of the cancellation of Gloucestershire cheese rolling this year.

The annual event will not take place in 2010 because of fears regarding the safety of the high number of spectators expected to attend, the BBC reports.

Around 15,000 people came to watch the event at Cooper's Hill near Brockworth last year - a figure that is more than three times the venue's capacity.

Organisers have had to take into account not only the health and safety of attendees, but also possible property damage that may be caused to the surrounding areas.

Diana Smart, who produces the dairy produce that is thrown down the hill, said: "I'm shaking at the prospect of not having any cheese-rolling."

Earlier in the month, the New Zealand Herald announced that Mainland Special Reserve Creamy Blue had taken top prize in the country's Champion of Cheese Awards.