A LAKE District distillery that opened for business last year is raising a toast after winning two awards in one of the most distinguished competitions in the drinks industry.

Lanty Slee Liquor Company, based at Wayside Pulpit in Elterwater, has announced that its Fell Dew Vodka and Wrynose Rum both received Bronze awards in the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC).

Co-founder Joe Nichols said: "The IWSC awards are some of the best regarded and hardest to win in the industry and a huge thank you to our distillers and supporters everywhere.

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"We will keep you updated on all the rest of the awards coming up this year and we are more focused than ever on building our Distillery in Langdale."

The Fell Dew Vodka received 89 points out of 100 with the tasting notes: "Understated nose with hints of earthiness; full-bodied with strong black pepper and well-balanced vanilla sweetness"

Wrynose Rum also received 89 points from 100 with the tasting notes: "Subtle orange aromas with well-integrated honey and marmalade flavours making this a complex and rounded spirit with decent length."

The company crafts spirits using historic methods and recipes in homage to the legendary Langdale 19th-century illicit moonshine distiller and smuggler Lanty Slee.