A FARM shop and butchery won the annual George F White Farm Diversification Award presented at Driffield Show.

Ashley Tyson and family run Stepney Hill Butchery and Farm Shop on their farm to the west of Scarborough.

The enterprise only opened in 2011 and also supplies restaurants and hotels in Scarborough.

Mr Tyson was “absolutely delighted” to win the award which he felt recognised how hard the team had worked to build the business.

Tom Mason, partner with George F White, said the award had been fiercely contended.

“We chose Stepney Hill because of the way they clearly identified the market they wanted to target and knew there would be a demand for their quality produce,”

he said.

“They have also recently launched a tea room, are now holding events at the farm and are providing a very popular outside catering service.

“The business, even in the early stages, has demonstrated a good return on investment and is now benefiting from a strong increase in demand even in today’s tough economic climate.”

Stepney Hill Farm has been in the Tyson family since 1966. All but 30 of the 560-acre farm is in permanent pasture and clover paddocks on which animals sold through the butchery and shop are reared.

Brothers Ashley and James Tyson took over the farm from their father six years ago. They raise Shorthorn cross beef, Saddleback pork, Swaledale and Texel cross lamb and mutton.

Ashley Tyson said: “Our commitment to producing and supplying the best quality meat and produce using traditional, labour intensive methods has certainly delivered great results”