AN OVEN company turned up the heat to scoop a prestigious award at the Southport Flower Show.

Orchard Ovens, of Preston, beat off competition from 100 companies to be named best trade stand for its innovative displays promoting alfresco dining.

The Fylde Road company is already making a name for its wood fired ovens, and its prize-winning stand featured a full Mediterranean patio garden with cookery demonstrations and food sampling. The stand was a joint effort between Orchard and four other local companies; Drives for Lancashire, Edwards Wrought Iron, Mayors World of Plants and Apex Signs and Graphics.

Managing director, Andrew Manciocchi, said: "We enjoyed a brilliant four days sharing our vision of alfresco eating with the Southport Flower Show visitors.

"While unexpected for a first-time exhibitor, the gold medal has been a welcome way to round it off a hugely successful show for us."

Orchard Ovens offered purchasers a free half day cooking course for anyone who purchased one of its Italian-made ovens at the show

Andrew added: "It was important that we designed a stand which did our ovens justice.

"During the show we cooked pizzas, roast pork, sausages, roast potatoes, fresh bread, roast beef, bread and butter puddings, rhubarb crumble - the list goes on.

"We even cooked daily full English breakfasts for the other traders and hosted the end of show staff barbecue.

"We would like to say thank you to everyone who visited the stand and helped make our time at the show such a success."

Earlier this summer, Walton-le-Dale restaurant Inside Out became one of the first restaurants in the country to install an Orchard Ovens wood-fired oven, which are handmade by Valoriani in Reggello, near Florence.