A FARM in South Tawton was a big winner at the Great Taste 2013 Awards, winning one 3-star and three 2-star prizes.

Husband and wife team Jane Barber and Simon Kemp of Lovaton Farm won the awards for their Gloucester Old Spot leg of pork on the bone, Lleyn leg of lamb on the bone, Dexter Cross Devon rib of beef on the bone and Dexter Cross Devon t-bone steak.

This was the first time the couple had entered the competition. They run the farm of 193 acres in South Tawton, specialising in traditional British rare breeds, including Dexter and Dexter cross cattle, and Gloucester Old Spot and Saddleback pigs.

Jane took over the farm from her father in 1999 and went on to train in butchery skills. The meat is prepared by Jane and a highly-experienced butcher in the on-farm cutting room.

Jane said: 'We are delighted that four of our products have received awards in the Great Taste 2013.

'We decided to enter because in 2012 our Dexter cross Devon T-Bone Steak was awarded the Champion Product in the Taste of the West competition and this gave us confidence to enter a national competition.

'We have celebrated this good news with our customers at the Okehampton Show, where free samples of our products were readily available. We will celebrate again at the Chagford Show.

'We are sure that these awards will enhance our reputation as a producer of fine quality traditionally reared rare breed pork, beef and lamb with consistent standard across all our product range.'

And she added a 'thank you' to the Great Taste judges for their 'wonderful' comments.

Lovaton Farm's home-bred Dexter and Dexter Cross Devon cattle graze all spring, summer and autumn on land under 'Countryside Stewardship', a scheme to promote wildlife friendly farming.

In the winter the cattle are supplemented with home-grown feeds allowing them to be reared in a stress-free traditional manner.

All the beef is hung for two to four weeks to enhance the flavour and tenderness.

It is then cut and vacuum packed ready to use or freeze.

The Great Taste awards are the world's largest and most rigorous food award scheme, involving more than 400 judges and thousands of hours of blind tasting. Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the awards are based purely on taste rather than branding or packaging.

In total, more than 12 judges will have tasted and commented on each product.

Out of almost 10,000 products entered into Great Taste 2013, just 125 have been awarded 3-star status.

All 3-star products have been re-judged by a panel including Masterchef judge and restaurant critic Charles Champion, food buyers from Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Whole Food Markets and Michelin Star chef Russell Brown, who have together decided on the 2013 Top 50 Foods, the Golden Fork Trophy winners as well as the new 2013 Supreme Champion.