A Stokesley firm which makes the Quorn meat substitute has won two national awards for its booming export business.

Marlow Foods, which employs 360 staff on Stokesley industrial estate, was named frozen and chilled exporter of the year, and English exporter of the year at the Food of Britain awards ceremony in London.

This is the second time it has been honoured in the awards.

Marlow produces Quorn sausages, burgers, fillets and ready meals for UK and European markets. Exports have risen by 52pc and now account for 20pc of total turnover

Swedish sales have been particularly strong, with Quorn being stocked by the country's two largest retailers, and an important breakthrough has been made in France - traditionally a bastion of meat-based cooking.

David Jesson, a Marlow European sales and marketing manager, said: "Our European business is growing in existing and new markets, while trade in the UK also continues to grow. We export to countries including Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland and France, but haven't yet tried Italy, Spain or Portugal. We have quite big export plans."

Asked whether red-blooded Latin markets would embrace Quorn as much as northern or Scandinavian countries, Mr Jesson acknowledged slight differences in culinary attitudes between northern European and Mediterranean countries.

"But even in the north, there are differences between Belgium, France and Holland," he said. "It has been said that the French live to eat while the Dutch eat to live. I'd say attitudes to food in the UK are somewhere in the middle."

He explained that Quorn was a mushroom protein, fermented in a process similar to yoghurt or beer. "We take a natural process and use it in a commercial environment," said Mr Jesson. "Fermenting is done at Belasis business park, Billingham. Quorn is low in fat, high in fibre and a good source of protein."

It was first sold in South-East England during 1985 and launched nationally in 1993.

The Food in Britain ceremony was held in the Inter-Continental Hotel at Hyde Park and the awards were sponsored by HSBC. Mr Jesson was accompanied by Marlow managing director Nick Hughes, commercial director Peter Banks, and accounts managers David Roberts and Barry Saunders.

"Part of the luncheon was a networking event, where we met other companies in the export business and discussed various matters. A seminar was also given by Tesco's managing director," said Mr Jesson.

Food from Britain spokes-man Simon Waring said: "The judges were very impressed with the work Marlow Foods has put into increasing overseas sales. This year, it has expanded into two more countries and the resulting growth in export business is a great achievement."