WEST Somerset-based Styles Farmhouse Ice Cream has been named South West Producer of the Year in a prestigious contest acknowledging the highest quality food and drink in the region.

Styles took the top title at the 2009 Taste of the West Awards ceremony held at Haselbury Plucknett on Tuesday, beating off competition from two other finalists from Cornwall.

And for David and Sue Baker, who 21 years ago took the step to diversify to keep the Rodhuish farm that generations of Bakers had worked, it felt as though the business had really come of age.

The enterprise, which began with David selling cornets from a borrowed 1930s bicycle, currently employs 70 people during the summer months.

From small beginnings, the company now distributes its products to a national and international market and Styles ice cream is on sale in Waitrose and Spa outlets, as well as Harrods and the Tower of London.

It has also secured export deals with Malta, Portugal, Japan and southern Ireland.

The latest accolade comes hot on the heels of another top award - Supreme Food and Drink Champion at this year's last-ever Royal Show at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire.

"We are really very, very pleased to have won this latest title," said David.

"The judges admitted that it had been a close contest between the three finalists because all were of such a high standard.

"But it's brilliant that it's come to us - we're just delighted."

Styles commercial director Simon Stokes said in the last 18 months the profile of the company had gone through the roof.

"We have seen our wholesale figures rise by 43 per cent during the downturn and at the moment sales of our retail packs are up 500 per cent on this time last year," he said.

David even found himself addressing a worldwide audience earlier this autumn after being asked to speak on innovation at the World Food Forum.

"We've worked hard over the years but awards like this make it all worth while," he said.

Another local winner was Spaxton Church of England School who took the South West Local Food in Schools Award for the second year running.

The award recognised Spaxton's commitment to serving healthy local produce, educating pupils about the source of the food they eat and communicating the healthy eating and local sourcing message to both pupils and parents.