Gold-laced Stilton costs £60 a slice

But now dairy lovers can really blow out, with a gold Stilton that costs a whopping £60 a slice.

The hefty price tag for a single cracker-sized wedge – shot through with edible gold leaf and real gold liqueurs – might seem over the top in these austere times, but apparently celebrities are queuing up for the exclusive Stilton.

Long Clawson Dairy in Leicestershire will make a limited edition run of the gold Stilton this Christmas and has been contacted by interested parties including an oil sheikh and a pop star.

Its creators say it is the UK’s “blingiest” cheese, costing 67 times the price of regular Stilton, at around 90p for 100g.

Janice Breedon, a spokeswoman for Long Clawson Dairy, said: “I can’t publicly identify the people who have inquired about our Clawson Stilton Gold but, suffice to say, they are all very well known. We’re being contacted by some very important and well-heeled people.”