A SEDBERGH-based company has won an award for its ‘frocolate’ gin and lime truffles.

Bakes and Balls (currently being rebranded as The Frocolate Truffle Company) nabbed top spot in the chocolate category at the 2019 Nourish Awards. The winners were announced during an event at Cheltenham Racecourse.

The award-winning truffles were the result of a collaboration with Ulverston company Shed 1 Gin.

The Nourish Awards were created in 2018 to celebrate the “new generation of health foods in the UK” - primarily those which are free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar.

Judges this year included Annie Seeley, from the Organic Trade Board, and Susan Hay, the founder of health and nutrition publication Thrive Magazine.

Stephen Hall, who founded Bakes and Balls in January 2016, said: “Frocolate is a fruit-based chocolate.

“It is a unique combination of figs, dates and prunes with ethically produced grand cru cocoa and cocoa butter from Madagascar.

“As well as being vegan, the truffles are free from the top 14 allergens.

“They have no added sugars, so the sweetness comes from the dried fruit, which also makes them high in fibre which is important for gut health.”

He added: “I am over the moon to have won this award.

“It’s been the culmination of a lot of hard work from a micro-business which is committed to creating healthy products which are nutritious and taste fantastic.

“It has been a tough year trying to launch new products; and deciding to leave the energy balls and snacks category to focus on launching the frocolate truffles.

“It’s humbling to be in the company of the other great nominees - many of which are also based in the North West.”

Diana Murphy, founder of the Nourish Awards, said: “This year’s awards attracted the highest level of entries and the judges had a difficult job choosing the runners up and winners.”

She added: “We should celebrate with great pride those who are putting their stamp on the healthy food industry.”