TWO brands produced by a Thirsk-based pet food company have triumphed in the 2019 Product of the Year Awards.

Inspired Pet Nutrition, the UK’s largest independent producer of dry pet food, saw its Harringtons Wet Dog Food and Wagg Peanut Butter Cookies both win their respective categories.

They were chosen as winners after 10,399 shoppers were surveyed across 51 categories.

Dan Reeves, Harringtons marketing manager, said: “There’s been a notable shift in the last few years with pet owners seeking out natural dog food that is easily accessible in their local shops.

“We’ve created an exciting range of natural wet food products, packed full of premium ingredients free from artificial flavours or colours as well as being palm oil free.

“We’re very proud and humbled to see the popularity of our Harringtons Wet Dog Food recognised by the consumers who voted for this year’s Product of the Year awards.”

Mike Nolan, chief executive of Product of the Year, said: “We’re pleased to see more natural pet product winners than ever before, proving the industry is introducing diverse ingredients to better the health of our much-loved pets.

“Product of the Year champions innovation and it’s encouraging to see brands keeping up with consumer demand for the availability of natural pet food.”

Both products are made at the company’s subsidiary The Real Petfood Company which is in North Wales.

A £14 million investment programme at the site enabled the company to bring the manufacture of the wet food range in-house.

It is now being manufactured at the rate of one million units per month with sales up by nearly 20 per cent at £4.8 million.