A BUSINESS which produces handmade chocolates is celebrating after enjoying tremendous success at the Royal Three Counties Show.

Not only did Alchemy Artisan Chocolatiers almost sell out of their stock during the three-day show, but show judges also awarded the company third place in the local food and drink category.

Lizzie and Bronk Lane say they are delighted with the award, their first since they founded the company, based at Hanley Castle, 18 months ago.

"We have worked very hard to develop our business and it’s wonderful to have formal recognition that we are going in the right direction,” said Mrs Lane.

“This is the biggest show we attend and based on last year’s sales we took plenty of stock with us. However, this year we simply couldn’t keep up with demand from customers.

"It rained on the Saturday, and I think this worked to our advantage, because when people are wet and miserable, they want chocolate to cheer them up."

She said that her husband has worked as a chocolatier for many years, most recently for Mars in research and development, working on new products.

"But he's always wanted to work for himself, and so we decided to set up Alchemy. We sell our via the internet, at local artisan markets and through a new shop, Hunkey Dorey, at Priory Steps in Malvern.

"I think when people taste our products, they remember how real chocolates taste, without additives.