This week our top trader is a lady from Silloth who has been providing the people of Cumbria with an amazing service.

Nicola Myers runs The Fruit and Veg Box Company where she delivers quality goods to those who need it most.

Based in Allerdale, Nicola and her team deliver fruit and vegetables all across the county.

Ms Myers said: "I started the business eight years ago, providing food to markets and hospitals.

"Now, because of the pandemic, we just deliver to people's houses and workplaces.

"I decided to start the service because I noticed there was a lack of produce available to local people."

Nicola says that she tries to be as plastic free as possible and only uses recycled packaging.

She also works with local growers and traders which helps to promote small businesses and provide fresh products to customers.

The business has been running for eight years and Nicola now has two volunteers and a self employed contractor working with her.

Along with the fresh fruit and vegetables, the company also provides an array of other local goods.

Nicola sells fresh bread from bakeries in Silloth and also jams, chutneys, Cumbrian tea and eggs.

The company has seen a lot of success and they even sell to wholesale traders.

However, a lot of the company's core customer base has came around with the start of the Covid pandemic.

As people were unable to leave their homes many relied on delivery services like Nicola's to get their daily essentials.

Ms Myers said: "Everyone seems to love it. Especially during lockdown when people couldn't get out the service became a lifeline.

"Particularly for older people and those more vulnerable to the virus.

"Now that restrictions are easing people are still staying with us."

"They get a personal service that is centred around people and we're providing customers with what they want."

People seem to be attracted to Nicola's company because it's affordable, plastic free and environmentally friendly.

To find out more about The Fruit and Veg Box Company you can visit them on https://www.thefruitandvegboxcompany.co.uk/ or call 07769 904 663.