The family behind a famous local name in relish have been shortlisted for a national award.

The Hawkshead Relish team are in the running in the family business category of the Growing Business Awards.

They will attend a judging day later this month, where they will meet with the judging panel and go through an interview process.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday November 27 at The Pavilion at The Tower of London.

Hawkshead Relish is up against companies from across the UK including Beckleberry’s, the Great British Biscotti Co and Hunter & Gather Foods.

Maria Whitehead MBE, co-owner of Hawkshead Relish, said: “We have been shortlisted alongside some excellent companies and have the opportunity to shout about what we do as a family business, the people we work with and who we work with us, and we also have a further opportunity to shout about where we live.

“Being shortlisted in the national finals is without a shadow of a doubt great news.

"Now all we have to do is see if we can win through in the national finals in November 2019 and claim another significant award for Cumbrian Family businesses.’’

Last year Maria and husband Mark were presented with the Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria award at the in-Cumbria Business Awards.

The Growing Business Awards, which have been running since 1998, are designed to celebrate the strength, vision and resilience of fast-growing SMEs across the UK.

The panel of judges includes the likes of Edward Knighton of YO! Sushi, James Arnall from Perk Box, Renee Elliott from Planet Organic, Samantha Pileggi from the Institute of Export and Ben Onajide from the Department of International Trade amongst others.