A HONEY producer has been crowned County Champion by the East of England Co-op.

Great Tilkey Honey, based in Coggeshall, now joins two others for the second round in a heated battle for the title of Producer of the Year 2017.

Between January 2 and 31, 19,392 votes were cast across the region by customers and members of the East of England Co-op.

Michael Coe, from Great Tilkey Honey, said “I’m delighted to have been shortlisted out of so many brilliant producers in Essex.

"We started with just one hive in our small cottage garden, so to be recognised as one of the best producers in our region is fantastic. The early mornings, late nights and bee stings definitely paid off."

Great Tilkey Honey and Marriage’s Flour were shortlisted for the Essex leg of the Producer of the Year Awards, now in its fifth year, for their innovation, performance, packaging and promotion, and for demonstrating co-operative spirit.

Kevin Warden, local sourcing and fresh product manager for the East of England Co-op, said: “Congratulations to our three county winners and the best of luck for the final round, they have all worked incredibly hard.

“These awards are a celebration of local farmers, growers and producers across the region and an opportunity for our customers and members to share with us which products they have enjoyed most."

Great Tilkey Honey and the other county winners will be visited by an expert panel of local food and farming experts to see their business in action and will then decide who’ll be crowned Producer of the Year 2017.

The results will be announced at the annual East of England Co-op Supplier Supper on 16 March.

For more information visit eastofengland.coop/sourcedlocally.