Royal support for Malmesbury food produce (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Royal support for Malmesbury food produce

AN AWARD-winning Wiltshire food producer was given a Royal thumbs up when HRH Prince Andrew paid a surprise visit.

The Malmesbury-based Tracklements was taking part at the International Food Exhibition (IFE) at London's Excel when the Royal visitor stopped by.

Prince Andrew had paid an impromtu visit to the show to promote the importance of supporting local food supporters.

And he was clearly impressed by the goods on show at Tracklements, which won a handful of awards at last year's Great Taste Awards.

The South West has more food and drink producers than any other region in the country but only 26 producers were invited to take part in the exhibition which attracted over 25,000 people from 50 countries.

Becky Vale, marketing manager for Tracklements, said: "The exhibition went fantastically well for us and we will expect good things in the coming months with the contacts we made there.

"It's always great fun and a good environment to see what's happening in the industry as well as for meeting customers past, present and future.

"Prince Andrew spoke to our chairman Will Tullberg, who founded the company. They talked about chutney making and why the South West is so famous for making great food."