A NORTH Yorkshire gourmet firm is hoping a secret recipe may have clinched a deal for it in America.

Lewis and Cooper's plum puddings, made to a 100-year-old recipe, are acclaimed by food critics as among the best in Britain and recently the Northallerton firm, founded in 1899, was able to display its wares at a food and drinks showcase for American buyers in Harrogate.

The managing director, Mr Tony Howard, met buyers from companies representing both retailers and wholesalers with interests across the USA and said: "We have had some very positive feedback from the buyers and have sent them various samples to test.

"We already attract quite a bit of interest for our products abroad, via the internet, but to break into the American market would be a huge boost for the business and lead to further expansion of an already rapidly-developing business."

In 1994, responding to the popularity of the home-made plum puddings, Lewis and Cooper set up a separate business to make them at Northallerton, where it has its old-established grocery and fine foods store in the high street.

The company, which has 75 staff, is also trying to build on the interest it has attracted from abroad, via its website.

The food and drinks showcase, held at the Great Yorkshire showground, was attended by 16 North Yorkshire food and drinks manufacturers and organised as part of the York and North Yorkshire export forum's "achieving export excellence" campaign.

This initiative is part-funded by the European regional development fund and is developed, designed and delivered by the York and North Yorkshire export forum.

To find out more about the forum, call the Business Link information centre on 01904 686000.

In our picture, right, Mr Tony Howard, on the left, managing director of Lewis and Cooper, shows a selection of the company's plum puddings to Mr Rich Keer and his wife, Judy, during the showcase at Harrogate.

Mr Keer is a buyer for an American importer of gourmet foods, the Natural Group, which has taken samples of the puddings.