ESSEX potato farmers are feeling chipper after their crisps scooped an accolade at a prestigious awards event. Colchester-based crisp company Fairfields Farm Crisps took a One-Star gold award at the Great Taste Awards for the third year running for its Sea Salt and Aspall Cyder Vinegar Crisps.

ESSEX potato farmers are feeling chipper after their crisps scooped an accolade at a prestigious awards event.

Colchester-based crisp company Fairfields Farm Crisps took a One-Star gold award at the Great Taste Awards for the third year running for its Sea Salt and Aspall Cyder Vinegar Crisps.

The company, run by husband and wife team Robert and Laura Strathern, uses its own Colne Valley potatoes, grown in Essex, alongside high quality local ingredients, made by other farmers in the area such as Aspall's cider, Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses and Suffolk chillies.

Mrs Strathern said: “We've always felt that our crisps are top of the league, but winning an award like this for three years in a row just goes to prove the consistent quality of our crisps.

“As a family concern, our products are very important to us and we spend a lot of time perfecting our flavours and the taste and texture of the crisps, we are thrilled that this hard work has been rewarded once again.”