A FIRM that started life in Chagford is celebrating after picking up one of 27 national titles awarded at a glittering ceremony held at Café de Paris in London for more than 200 regional finalists.

Dartmoor Kitchen, started by Tom Cull on his mother's farm in Chagford, has been named the best independent wedding caterer in the country.

Mr Cull said: 'We are extremely proud to have won this award voted for by our clients and judged by experts in the industry.

'Our catering ethos is local, fresh and seasonal and winning the award for best independent caterer in the country, after winning the South West regional finals last November, is an incredible achievement and a true reflection of the hard work of the team and the fantastic produce that we have access to in the region.'

Founder of The Wedding Industry Awards, Damian Bailey, said: 'The Wedding Industry Awards really have become the gold standard for wedding excellence in this country.

'The wedding industry in the South West is packed full with passionate, innovative and committed suppliers.

'This is our fourth awards and the standard of entrants was higher than ever.

'To even make the shortlist is a huge achievement and then to be crowned a winner after hundreds and hundreds of couples have voted and our judges have gone through the entries with a fine tooth comb is a feat worthy of notice.

'Happily, we had plenty of champagne on hand to celebrate with our winners in style.'