THE Village Bakery’s Fairtrade Organic Christmas Cake has been short-listed for a top grocery industry prize.

More than 100 products are competing for honours in the Dried Fruit Association’s new product awards; the bakery’s Christmas cake has been nominated in the ‘alternative lifestyle’ category.

Tim Brown, key accounts manager at The Village Bakery, which operates from Melmerby and Penrith, said: “This as a great accolade for a small company, such as ours”.

The Organic Christmas Cake carries the Fairtrade mark, which ensures a better deal for producers in the developing world and is awarded to products which meet internationally-recognised standards of fair trade.

Previous dried fruit award-winners have included Marks & Spencer, Yeo Valley and Weetabix. The 2003 winners will be announced next month.