A COFFEE roasters based in an old Blackburn chapel has earned an award nomination after attracting legions of loyal disciples.

The Exchange Coffee Company, which has been supplying East Lancs residents with their caffeine hit for more than 30years, has been shortlisted for the Hive Innovation Award.

The company was praised by judges after they refined their preparation methods to keep coffee fresh.

Richard Isherwood, general manager, said: "This is the first Hive Awards we have entered, to be shortlisted is a great achievement".

In addition to investing in new packing techniques, the coffee house has also just launched a barista school and later this year is expected to open a coffee museum.

Mr Isherwood said: "We had a soft launch for the barista school recently, it is really for our customers to get training on their premises or ours in the coffee equipment.

"We haven't put a date on the coffee museum yet but it will be really for our customers to come and see the coffee making process in more detail."

From their retail roasting outlets in Clitheroe, Blackburn and Skipton, Cappuccino Bars in Blackburn and Todmorden and the wholesale roasting warehouse in Blackburn the firm transports coffees and teas across the country.