Last updated at 15:58, Friday, 02 March 2012

Penrith food firm Country Puddings is in the running for a national business award with £200,000 of top prizes.

The firm, which was started out by managing director Lynne Mallinson making traditional puddings from a farmhouse kitchen, is one of 10 finalists from all over the country bidding for a £50,000 HSBC Business Growth Grant.

The 10 finalists were due to compete in London today, pitching to a panel of judges to showcase what sets them apart from the competition, and how they will use the grant to accelerate their expansion.

Four winners will each receive a grant of £50,000, two for domestic growth and two for overseas trade.

Country Puddings was formed in 2000 and quickly outgrew both the farm kitchen and subsequently a dedicated kitchen in a converted barn.

It now operates from North Lakes Business Park, near Penrith, and in 2009 acquired Taylors Classics, a smaller pudding company from Longtown.

First published at 14:10, Friday, 02 March 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk