Will Box knows a thing or two about his onions, carrots and parsnips – and he's pretty hot on his cauliflowers and shallots too.

At 26 he's carved out a successful business for himself dealing in fruit and veg from his warehouse in Caldewgate, Carlisle.

Up at the crack of dawn to source the freshest produce from markets across the north of England, Will takes delivery into his Church Street premises before shipping it out to more than 60 restaurants, hotels and pubs across Carlisle.

An increase in demand from other areas of Cumbria means he is now looking to expand the business which he started in 2016 in the garage of his mum's home in Stanwix.

His foray into the world of fresh produce began when he started working for his dad David Box at his wholesale business, Stephensons, in Appleby.

After eight years, Will went travelling in Australia for 11 months working in the markets of Brisbane selling produce to the likes of Emirates airline and the Hilton hotel group.

He said: "When I came back from Australia I decided to give it a go on my own. I started Inter Fresh from my mum Gill's garage within a month of being home."

As the business grew it became too big for the garage and Will took over the warehouse in Church Street in September last year.

"I needed more space and I couldn't have big delivery trucks turning up outside my mum's house," he said.

"I buy from markets in Gateshead and Manchester. I like to get out there myself to see the quality of the produce."

With three vans, and a staff of four including himself, Will delivers to The Halston, Thin White Duke, Last Zebra, Foxborough and Alexandros, all Carlisle, as well as The Garden at Eden in Crosby.

"My priority will always be my existing customers but I am looking at expanding into the Penrith area because of the number of requests I have had from establishments wanting my produce," he said.

"We have an attention to detail and are specialists in our field. Because I see the produce myself at market I can focus on quality.

"I am very hands-on and know every one of my customers personally. I think that is so important."