ALTHOUGH Christmas dinner might not be on the minds of most during the current heatwave, Lydiard Turkeys is celebrating an award for creating the perfect festive roast.

This year is the farm's 10th year of producing turkeys and after launching in 2008 with 60 birds, the farm now homes 375 every winter.

As part of the Great Taste Award, Lindsay and husband Chris Rumming provided cooking instructions for the best roast that was sampled by judges in December.

The duo then had a nervous wait until August 1 to find out if they could make it three years running to scoop the accolade for their work at the farm on Hook Street.

Mrs Rumming said: “I think the secret to our success is our passion. We do everything ourselves and we like to share that with our customers. We don’t hide anything and people appreciate that. Not everyone wants to know every detail but there has definitely been an increase in customers wanting to know where their food comes from.

“Following the horse meat scandal I think people want to know where their food comes from and we can tell them the turkeys have had a happy life.

“We are still growing but every year we are taking on more turkeys.”

Due to their success they have now been named Great Taste Producers by the Guild of Fine Foods.

Mrs Rumming added: "All our turkeys are sold by ourselves from the farm gate and we have two collection days with Mince pies and mulled wine for customers. Our customers love the fact that they can come and see us and get hints and tips for cooking the perfect Christmas turkey."