TOLLESHUNT based pork farmers have been crowned Producers of the Year for the East of England.

Wicks Manor Pork, based in Tolleshunt Major, has scooped the prestigious title from East of England Co-Op after beating stiff competition from Norfolk and Suffolk county finalists Buxton Potatoes and Havensfield Eggs.

The announcement was made at the East of England Co-op’s annual Supplier Supper last week which celebrated the best of East Anglian produce at Wherstead Park, Ipswich.

The win marks the second in a row for Essex, after Coggeshall-based Great Tilkey Honey took the title in 2017.

Since 1967 the Howie family has been producing premium pork and today Wicks Manor Pork is run by brothers Fergus and Hamish Howie.

Fergus Howie said: “Amazing, I am so thrilled we won, it is such a great accolade, particularly on this milestone year for the East of England Co-op as they celebrate 150 years in business.

“It means so much to have the hard work that every single member of the Wicks Manor Park team puts in recognised and is especially meaningful as we reached the final thanks to votes from the public.

“All the nominated producers are inspiring and it is a privilege to be part of the network of East of England Co-op Sourced Locally producers here tonight. We all do our part to make people proud of East Anglian food and drink.

“I cannot wait to take this award back to the farm and celebrate with the whole team.”

Roger Grosvenor, Joint Chief Executive at the East of England Co-op said: “Many congratulations to Wicks Manor Pork and all our nominated producers for their hard work and deserved success this year.

“This competition has been a great way to encourage our customers to ‘think local’ and to champion our fantastic local producers. Thank you to all who supported Producer of the Year 2018 and I hope you continue to enjoy great-tasting local produce in our stores.”

Visit www.eastofengland.coop/poty2018.