More than 30 Cumbrian food and drink products picked up gongs at this year's Great Taste Awards.

The top performer, for the second year running, was Mr Vikki’s, based at High Hesket between Carlisle and Penrith, which collected accolades for six products with its hot brinjal taking two stars.

Five other products - banana habanero, tamarind chipotle, east India Chilli pickle, hot coriander sauce and chilli jam - all took one star.

Other winners included Bruce and Luke's, Country Puddings, Cranstons, Claire's Handmade, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, Hawkshead Relish and The Dalemain Marmalade Collection.

Only one firm from the county received the top accolade of three stars, Stringers Beer, based in Ulverston, which won the prize for its IPA.

The judges said: "[It is a] very well made classic British IPA with a good level of bitterness.”

The awards, established in 1994 by the Guild of Fine Food, have been described as the “Oscars of the food world” and the “epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize”.

Judging took place between earlier this year when more than 500 food experts blind-tasted samples in teams of four or five. These included MasterChef judge and restaurant critic, Charles Campion.

Bruce and Luke's, the coffee roasting firm based in Carlisle, took two stars for its espresso blend. This was the first time that the company had entered the contest.

Joint owner Luke Jackson said: "We are going to celebrate by sharing our huge news with all of our loyal supporters who have helped guide us and encourage us over our first 18 months without the support of our people we would never strive to such great things.

"I have already begun conjuring ideas of a mass tasting for our customers."

The Dalemain Marmalade Collection, based at the stately home of the same near near Pooley Bridge, won one star for its Bishop's Marmalade, based on a 17th century recipe.

And Cranstons, based in Penrith, took two stars for its thick Cumberland sausage and one each for their rare roast beef and dry-cured back bacon.

Philip Cranston, managing director of Cranstons, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Cranstons’ strive for quality and excellence has been awarded by such a prestigious body.

"It’s great to see our dry cured back bacon, rare roast beef and our famous thick Cumberland sausage have been awarded with one star golds and a two-star gold award.

"We are impressed with the number of local producers, whom we work with, that have also celebrated success in the Great Taste Awards. It’s fantastic to share this success with them.”