A FOOD store has won another award to add to its growing tally.

Lewis and Cooper in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was named independent retailer of the year in the 2007 Drinks Business Awards.

The store beat off competition from three other finalists, including Harrods, to win the accolade.

The judges said Lewis and Cooper has "a real love of the business, which comes through in everything they do".

It is the second national award the store's wine department has won in two years. Last year, the department scooped the Drinks Retailing Award for independent wine merchant of the year.

Angela Searl, who runs the wine department with consultant Danny Cameron, said she was, "absolutely thrilled".

"There is often an assumption that the cream of the wine trade takes place in London, but this proves that we have something very special here," she added.