SPECIALITY bread manufacturer Pride Valley Foods has risen above the competition to become the UK food industry's company of the year.

The Seaham-based speciality bread maker won the title at the Food Processing Awards, beating off international competition.

Judges praised the Seaham firm for its innovative approach to introducing new breads to the market, identifying consumer trends and for bringing speciality flat breads to the mainstream snack and sandwich market.

Andrew Clutton, organiser of the awards, said: "These awards are voted for by experts working in the industry.

"We received an initial 50 award applications in this category alone and managed to shortlist three companies."

Andrew Cross, managing director, said: "This title goes a long way to demonstrate Pride Valley's position within the UK food industry.

"Despite a well publicised setback when the factory was burnt to the ground, we have marched on to become one of the UK's leading food manufacturers.

"We now sell our products in a range of supermarkets and convenience stores across the UK and export to more than five European countries, including France and Holland, where traditionally consumers have favoured speciality breads."