Businesses from across the county have been singled out for praise at the inaugural Made in Cornwall Awards.

The winners of the awards were presented with their trophies at a ceremony held during the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce's Connected Cornwall conference. The awards celebrate the activities and achievement of members of Cornwall Council’s Made in Cornwall Scheme.

Jane Tomlinson, Cornwall Council trading standards manager, said: “Made in Cornwall is pleased to have launched five awards to celebrate the activities and achievements of our members. These awards have been introduced as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Made in Cornwall Scheme which was launched in back in 1991.”

The scheme was established in response to a call for recognition of genuine Cornish products which had to compete with items made elsewhere but using the Cornish brand. Over the years it has gone from strength to strength and with over 250 members, Made in Cornwall is the largest regional origin scheme in the UK.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council cabinet member for communities, said: “The Cornwall brand is well respected both nationally and internationally and it is fitting that we should celebrate the success of our excellent local businesses.”

Jane added: "Our five award categories were keenly fought and we received many excellent nominations. In some categories we decided to present highly commended awards as we felt our members deserved to be recognised for their hard work and achievements. All the winners have shown a high commitment to their business and deserve to be recognised for their efforts.

“We would like to congratulate all the Made in Cornwall members that have won an award and thank all of our members who help to make the scheme the success it is today.”

The winners come from across Cornwall and produce a wide range of products, demonstrating the talent possessed by Made in Cornwall Scheme members.

Full list of winners.

Green Innovation Award: Winner: Cornish Sea Salt, based in Penryn, for their eco-friendly facilities and systems which minimises both their energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Innovation Award: Andy and Hermione Copp, based in Torpoint, for their development of madeincornwall.com, an online shopping mall open exclusively to all Made in Cornwall Scheme members to give them ecommerce facilities. Highly commended: Cornish Clayton Crafts, of Liskeard and Grippy Leads of Tregony.

Contribution to the Community Award: Pirate FM for their support of hundreds of community events across the year as well as their charitable work; highly commended, Family Silver of Penzance - Esme ploughed her profits from her jewellery business into establishing Circa 21: a small independent shop and gallery on Penzance’s Market Jew Street which supports the livelihoods of 35 Cornish based designer makers.

Rising Star Award: Kennall Vale Cheese, of Ponsanooth - as dairy farmers Julie and her partner wanted to do something more with the milk and so, with very limited resources, set up a small cheese making dairy on the farm two years ago and has gone on to win several awards. Highly commended, Bad Boy Chilli Mash Ltd of Lostwithiel and The Naked Sheep, based in Hayle,

who uses locally purchased wool and natural fleeces to create a variety of traditional and modern garments.

Taking Cornwall Places Award: Boddington’s Berries, of Mevagissey; highly commended, Margot Hartley Jewellery based in Lostwithiel, and Simply Cornish of Penzance, who export to the furthest points of the globe.