A MONMOUTHSHIRE cider company have become the first producer to win back-to-back top prizes at the prestigious Great Taste awards.

More than 300 guests were present to see Ben and Stephanie Culpin of Apple County Cider Co accept their award at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington on Monday.

The Monmouth-based company's 'Dabinett Medium Cider' finished ahead of 10,000 products to win the award, becoming the first company in the 12-year history of the awards to win consecutively.

The company made the top 50 and top 15 shortlists before eventually being announced the overall winner.

Following the result, Mr Culpin said that he and his wife were in shock, having only started the business two years ago.

He said: "It's just amazing, it's going to raise the profile of our cider in Wales and beyond.

"It's amazing to get recognition as we're so passionate about what we do."

Mr Culpin, who has been making cider for nine years, said that their exposure has now garnered them admirers from around the world.

Three months ago, Apple County Cider Co signed a deal to export their products in Japan.

"We're sending around 6,000 bottles of our ciders over," said Mr Culpin.

"The company we're working with said that they'd been researching UK cider and described our product as being head and shoulders above the rest.

"We're getting so much interest now."

For more information on the company, visit applecountycider.co.uk