AN old family recipe for damson gin has proved a winner for a Worcestershire enterprise.

Tipsy Fruit Gins has won two gold awards for its gin-based damson and blackcurrant fruit liqueurs, together with a silver for raspberry, in the Great Taste Awards 2005.

Every one of the 3,878 entries in 170 different classes was blind tasted by more than 200 regional and national judges, including food retailers, buyers, writers, critics and chefs.

Colin and Phyllis Hingston, of Tipsage Farm, Newnham Bridge, near Tenbury Wells, are thrilled with the awards, which follow their success earlier this year as runners-up in the Small Producers of the Year awards, sponsored by Waitrose supermarket.

Their fruit gins are based on a family recipe dating from 1842, and their current production of nearly 6,000 litres began in a small way.

"We had old damson trees on our smallholding and we used to make damson gin at home," said the couple's daughter, Michelle Kruger, who works in the family business. "One year Dad made more than we could drink, so he gave it as a Christmas gift to customers at our delicatessen in Ludlow.

"They asked where they could buy it, so the following year we made some for sale - and it has just grown from there really."

Making the fruity tipples became a full-time enterprise about six years ago, using fruit from Tipsage and other local suppliers.

Sold through delicatessens, farm shops and independent retailers, damson is the best seller, with raspberry coming a close second.

"My favourite depends on the time of year," said Mrs Kruger. "In the summer, I like raspberry or blackcurrant mixed with sparkling wine, but in winter I prefer damson, which is very warming when drunk on its own."

Mrs Hingston said the awards were a recognition of what they had always felt.

"We produce superb products," she said.