A COUNTY Durham food company is hoping to attract overseas orders after a successful trade fair.

Ann Hustwit and Hilary Jenkins, who run cake makers Jenkins and Hustwit in Bishop Auckland, attended the recent International Food and Drink Event in London.

They were among seven regional food producers who exhibited on the Northumbria Larder stand which, although one of the smallest stands, attracted more than 30 international buyers.

"As a result we received many inquiries about our traditional farmhouse fruit cakes and Christmas puddings," said Mrs Hustwit.

"The greatest enthusiasm came from buyers from France, the United States, Canada and Greece. We are hopeful orders will soon follow. It was an excellent show."

Sandy Duncan, Northumbria Larder business development manager, said all the producers attracted tremendous enthusiasm from buyers representing countries such as America, Japan, Poland, Belgium and France.

The Tanfield Food Company of Stanley, County Durham, started producing gourmet ready meals with extended shelf life only recently.

"We jumped from stage one to stage three of our marketing plan simply by attending the event," said Keith Gill, who runs the business with Roger McKechnie.

The pair originally founded the successful Phileas Fogg branded snacks, which they sold to United Biscuits in 1993.

"We were approached by more than 200 independent UK delis, food halls and food shops and there was great interest from overseas buyers," said Mr Gill. "We are talking business with Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East and the Republic of Ireland. We are also in talks with multiples and food hamper distributors."

Using the event as a launchpad for its range of fresh soups and sauces, another new business, the Redemption Food Company of Consett, also did well. It sells to wholesalers and is now in discussions with two new wholesalers in the Republic of Ireland.

Anthony and Lucy Carroll who farm at Tiptoe, near Cornhill-on-Tweed, found keen interest in the gourmet varities of potatoes they grow and Heatherslaw Bakery of Crookham, also near Cornhill, received orders for cakes and biscuits from a farm shop in Lancashire and great interest from a buyer in the South of France.

The Northumberland Cheese Company also drew tremendous interest from overseas buyers.