A CIDER company near Taunton has scooped SEVEN top awards.

Sheppy's Cider has won seven Taste of the West Gold Awards this year.

Judges awarded both the House of Cider Farm Shop and six of its ciders the gold award.

The House of Cider opened in 2017, and received high praise from the award judges.

"This is an excellent shop and one of the best farm shops I have visited - I could not recommend it more," they said.

"It sums up Somerset and is a brilliant showcase for Taunton. It is worth a visit just to taste their ciders.

"If you need somewhere to visit on a wet or sunny day, then this would be the perfect destination.”

The winning ciders included: Sheppy’s Dabinett Cider; Kingston Black Cider; Organic Cider; Redstreak Cider; Elderflower Cider and Vintage Perry Cider.

Master of Cider, David Sheppy, said: "We are beyond thrilled to have won so many accolades across the Taste of The West awards.

"My family has been making premium cider for over 200 years and we are incredibly proud of our heritage and the skills we pass from generation to generation, which is at the heart of everything Sheppy’s does.

"To have been recognised at this level after a tough year industry-wide, it demonstrates our resilience and dedication."

Director Louisa Sheppy added: “The House of Cider was developed four years ago and to receive our second Gold in two years really shows that our passion for locally sourced products and our dedication to quality customer service is shared by the consumer.”

The Taste of the West Awards are designed to promote and support the South West food and drink industry.