Store chain is award winner

Company representatives will attend a swish awards dinner at London's Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane next month to collect their prize.

The company, which has a main store at Churchstoke and others in Ludlow, Craven Arms, Bishop's Castle and Knighton, has been recognised in the 2007 Local Community Awards organised by the Food and Drink Federation.

Central to the award is the company's annual Fun Day which generates large sums for a wide range of causes.

This year's event raised £21,000 which was distributed among 80 schools, churches, small groups and charities with the largest cheque, of £3,000, going to Hope House children's hospice in Oswestry.

The Food and Drink Federation also took into account the company's free country park with play facilities for children and the siting of recycling banks at Churchstoke and Craven Arms which also generate money for good causes.

The company was invited to send representatives to a meeting at the FDF offices in Covent Garden where Ruby Delves, joint chairman with husband Roy, and general manager Mark Williams gave a 30-minute presentation on Harry Tuffins Ltd and answered questions relating to the local community theme.

"We have now heard that we are a winner and have been invited to go to the FDF dinner on April 12 where the awards will be announced," said Mr Williams.

"We will not know what we have won until the evening - it could be Gold, Silver or Bronze or highly commended - so we shall see."

Picture: Roy and Ruby Delves, joint chairmen of Harry Tuffins, and Mark Williams, general manager, presenting a cheque to Vanessa Lloyd, Hope House appeals co-ordinator.