A LOCAL honey company is celebrating after collecting a major prize at this year’s Northumberland County Show.

The Northumberland Honey Company, which is based in Haltwhistle, took home first prize for the ‘Best Non-Agricultural Stand’ at the show last month.

The company, which was established in 2015 by local bee farmers Luke and Suzie Hutchinson, offered visitors to the show the chance to taste their sparkling mead, which is the first of its kind produced in the UK.

The Hutchinson’s new Rosé and Heather varieties went down well with the crowds in the warm weather.

After receiving the prize from Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman, Mr Hutchinson said: “To receive an award for the stand was really humbling as we certainly did not expect it or strive for it. We simply did what we do best – talk bees, honey and sparkling mead.

“Looking to the future, it gives us more drive to showcase what we and other local beekeepers are doing.

“We will be discussing with show organisers the possibility of a ‘bee marquee’ for next year’s show, allowing all producers and beekeeping associations to be under one roof, something that is common at other shows across the country.”