The end of the recession might be in sight, yet many businesses around the world are still finding it tough, especially when it comes to cash flow.

But in Italy a group of parmesan cheese makers and a bank have got together to help each other.

The cheese producers give the bank some of their cheese as collateral in exchange for a loan.

In return, the bank charges interest on the loan and, if the producer defaults, the bank can sell the highly valuable cheese.

Our correspondent in Italy, Duncan Kennedy explains the rest...