AN Urmston company's range of spicy condiments proved to be hot property, after scooping two prestigious prizes in the Great Taste Awards.

Howard Carter and his wife Samantha began making pots of spicy treats as presents for their family a few years ago.

Now, their Smokey Carter artisan sauce and spice rub range can be found in top delicatessens across Manchester - and they have started to export their sauces to Sweden.

The company earned its two one-star Great Taste Awards for its Chipotle and Bourbon Barbecue Sauce and its Smokey Chipotle Barbecue Dry Spice Rub.

Judged by more than 500 food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs and producers as well as a whole host of food writers and journalists, Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for speciality food producers. The awards are organised by the Guild of Fine Food,

Howard, aged 34, said: "We enter the Great Taste as it really is seen as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike.

"That logo adds a great value to your products in terms of credibility, opening doors to new retailers, and ultimately increasing sales."

Last year, the company earned a Great Taste Award gold star for its Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce.

Howard added: "You have to be in it to win it, and we are so proud that our two best sellers are joining our Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce, as proven Great Taste products.”

All products are judged ‘blind’ with no regard for branding and packaging.

Recently, the firm received a business boost from former Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis. Howard and Samantha tweeted Theo about their business during his 'Small Business Sunday’. It was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet by Theo to his 500,000 Twitter followers.

Further details at www.thesmokeycarter.com