A THRIVING business which makes jams, marmalades and curds is enjoying the sweet taste of success after becoming a finalist in a food competition.

Thursday Cottage, which is based in Tiptree, is one of six finalists across the east of England competing in the East of England Co-op’s Producer of the Year award.

The awards celebrate food and drink producers who source their ingredients locally.

Thursday Cottage prides themselves on traditional values and methods including packaging which hasn’t changed in 55 years.

The fruit for the jams is handpicked just 400 metres from their production room.

Sales representative Pele Heydon said: “We have been working with the Co-op for about ten years now.

“It is good to get recognition for the quality of our products. We are conscious of our values

“All our fruit is hand-checked and all our jars are hand-poured. Every batch is perfect and every jar is perfect.

“We’re absolutely thrilled and we hope we can make it to the next stage.”

Voting will run until February 21. For details, visit eastofengland.coop/poty2019.