FOR the fourth consecutive year a North Yorkshire company has produced the retail product of the year in the British Frozen Food Federation awards.

A UK-wide consumer judging panel nominated Milfina Temptations, a premium honeycomb crunch ice cream which Richmond Frozen makes for Aldi. The same product also took the gold award as the best new ice cream/ice cream dessert.

Richmond also took the bronze award in this category with Morrison's Orange Sorbet Splits.

The top two awards in the best new children's produce category went to Richmond, with a fruit mousse for Sainsbury's Blue Parrot Caf range taking the gold. The silver was awarded for Richmond's Nestl Rowntree Ice Screamers.

Richmond, the UK's largest ice-cream manufacturer, has now won 16 BFFF awards in the past five years.

Alf Carr, director general of the BFFF, said: "To win the retail product of the year again is a remarkable achievement by Richmond Frozen Confectionery. This year they have sensed that the consumer is demanding premium quality at an affordable price. The panels of consumers clearly felt the product met that criterion as well as those of taste and novelty."

Kate Needham, Richmond's marketing director, said: "I am delighted that, once again, our products have received such a strong endorsement from the consumer. It is recognition of the focus we maintain on delivering high quality new product development to the ice cream category."

* Richmond Frozen Confectionery has been tasting success in a business challenge, too.

Two teams competed against 16 other groups in the 2002 Yorkshire Business Challenge, held at Camphill, the leading North Yorkshire-based teambuilding and training centre.

Richmond's A team, the eventual runners-up, were John Bell, Dan Turner and Jackie Nettleton sales), Sophie Lewis (quality assurance) and Paul Millgate (project manager).

The B team comprised Liz Wise (human resources), Keeley Hallatt (HR assistant), Nick Thackray (supply chain administrator), Marc Kemp (cold store supervisor) and Tim Barker (environmental technician).

The event raised £10,000 for the Rainbow Trust, which provides practical and emotional support for children with a life-threatening or terminal illness, and their families