A Lake District business is celebrating 25 years of trading.

Hawkshead Relish, which was established in 1999 by Mark and Maria Whitehead, has been 'tasted by many' who have paid a visit to the national park.

The couple began by making small batches of relish and chutney to accompany meals in their Hawkshead café.

The sauces proved so popular that they started selling them in the café.

Maria Whitehead MBE, co-founder of Hawkshead Relish, said: "When we started out in our café in Hawkshead making a few condiments to serve with our dishes, little did we know what Hawkshead Relish would become a quarter of a century later."

The couple's daughters, Izzy and Abbie Whitehead, both have jobs in the company (Image: Sheenah Alcock) The foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001 left the Lake District 'virtually devoid' of visitors, forcing the couple to re-evaluate their business.

They decided to scale up their production of preserves and condiments, a decision that has seen the business flourish throughout the last 25 years.

The company has received royal visits, and in 2019, to celebrate their 20th anniversary, Mrs Whitehead authored a cookery book, Embellish With Relish, which is now set for its third reprint.

Today, Hawkshead Relish produces more than 100 handmade products, including their Westmorland Chutney and best-selling Black Garlic Ketchup, from their production site near Esthwaite Water.

They supply their goods to more than 500 UK outlets, and export to more than 20 countries worldwide.

The company has also won numerous awards for product innovation, including more than 80 Great Taste Awards.

They manufacture products for names such as Tom Kerridge, Harvey Nichols, Booths and Lakeland Ltd.

Initially staffed by just two people, the company now employs 28 people across three sites, becoming one of the UK’s 'leading' artisan food businesses.

Mr and Mrs Whitehead have been working to implement a succession plan to ensure the company's future beyond themselves.

They have taken a step back, leaving the day-to-day running of the business to managing director Jonathan Robb and their daughter Izzy Whitehead, who is the company’s brand manager.

Izzy’s sister Abbie is in charge of the flagship retail store in Hawkshead.

Mrs Whitehead said: "To say that we're proud of our whole team is such an understatement, and we’re looking forward to the next chapter in the growth of the Hawkshead Relish Company, as we step back a little more and let our MD Jonathan Robb and fellow director and youngest daughter Izzy take the business forward and develop it for the next 25 years."