Axminster's Higgler Coffee is celebrating today (Tuesday) after winning a Taste of the West award Gold standard for the third year in a row.

They won the award in the cafe/tea room category with outstanding praise from the undercover judges.

Having operated in the town for over ten years and won multiple awards including Taste of the West awards the crew at Higgler coffee and recognition shows they are the best regionally and nationally.

Owner Laurence Norman 32 said: "I may be showing some signs of wear, but the young crew that lead the charge in the fight for excellent coffee and local and sustainable food are vibrant and passionate."

Judges said: "Information about their sourcing and the origin of products was showcased all around the café and on their menus which was fantastic to see.

"There was a simple limited menu of bagels and home-made cakes on the premises dominating the menu.

"When you first enter Higgler there is a sign instructing you to wait for the staff to show you a table to ensure that they have time to clear the tables.

"A laid-back approach from the owner and staff who were engaging. This is the coffee shop/café we would all like to have around our corner of town.

"The Higgler team made it look effortless and we all know just how hard it is to achieve this level of quality. Fabulous attention to detail and a clear focus on the customer."

The Taste of the West Awards programme has been promoting and supporting the South West food and drink industry for over 30 years. It has grown to become the most prestigious food and drink awards programme in the South West.

The award scheme works with around 350 food and drink producers who enter their South West food and drink products into the awards programme. Seeing an awards logo on a product means it has been tried and tested by a panel of independent industry experts.

They also run an annual awards programme for hospitality and retail businesses. Each year the team of judges visit around 400 establishments across the South West, evaluating the quality and provenance of the food and drink they serve and/or sell.