TWO Ribble Valley businesses have won awards in a prestigious food contest.

Fairfield Farm Shop, Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale, which bucked the national trend by surviving foot and mouth and the collapse of the pig industry, has been named North West Producer of the Year for its gammon steak.

And Clitheroe's Farmhouse Fare also scooped awards from North West Fine Foods -- for the best sticky toffee pudding and the best pudding with its brand new chocolate and orange pudding.

The competition was sponsored by Booth's Supermarkets as part of British Food Fortnight.

The event, which attracted nearly 300 entries, was judged in blind tastings by a panel of 14 food experts, including GMTV nutritionist Amanda Ursell and Guardian food editor Matthew Fort.

Chairman of judges Craig Bancroft, who is general manager of the Michelin-starred Northcote Manor in Langho, said: "The overall quality of the products we judged was fantastic."

Phillip and Louise Edge have been selling their traditionally reared pork direct to the public since October, 2000, and now sell 600kg of produce a week from their shop.

Phillip said the support of consumers had been crucial to the survival of his business.

He used to have 1,800 pigs, but now has 500, and said he had survived by selling pork products direct to the public, and quality restaurants.

Louise said: "We hope we can now reach a wider market with a high quality award like this behind us.

"We are striving to reintroduce the general public to real food again, tasting like it did 40 years ago. It seems we are getting there."

Helen Colley, 36, started Farmhouse Fare in her mum's kitchen and now employs 25 at custom-built premises in Clitheroe's Salthill Industrial Estate.

Farmhouse Fare was named New Business of the Year in the 2002 Lancashire Evening Telegraph Business Awards and its chocolate and orange pudding will be available from Booth's stores from November 1.

She said: "We are delighted that our newest creation has caused such a stir and to win the Best Pudding in the North West award is very reassuring.

"When we develop a new recipe we ask Booth's to pass its opinion on the result before progressing to the final product.

"It was very pleasing to win Best Sticky Toffee Pudding award, as this was the first pudding we ever made and it still proves to be very popular."