The manager of a family-run business in Lowestoft says she is both 'honoured' and 'shocked' after they won a national award for their oak-smoked kippers.

Gemma Raven, who runs the Anchor Smokehouse on Katwijk Way, described how her colleagues thought she had won the lottery after she started screaming when the news was revealed.

The award, in the smoked fish category, was run by Great British Food magazine's Farm Produce Awards which aims to recognise 'the nation's finest speciality food and drink'.

The family-run business was up against other smokehouses from across the UK, including London and Scotland – with many businesses being much larger in size.

The kippers were sent to judge Nathan Outlaw who previously worked with television chef Rick Stein. He now runs his own self titled two Michelin star restaurant.

Mr Outlaw said: 'These kippers are produced using a traditional technique and they are a product made to perfection. They are certainly kippers that are worth getting out of bed for.

'It is evident that the fish used is of the highest quality and that it has been treated well and with respect.'

Ms Raven, whose father owns the smokehouse which has been in Lowestoft since 1878, added: 'In all honesty we never really enter awards but we must be doing something right to have won.

'The people who work for me thought I had won the lottery as I was just screaming.

'We had to send the kippers to Nathan's restaurant and in all honesty I didn't know how big a deal he was until I searched on Google.

'I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. For someone like him to say such lovely words, it made me feel completed honoured,' she admitted.

'We do everything the old fashioned way so come and give us a go if you have never tried us – we do try our

best.'

? For more information visit www.anchorsmokehouse.co.uk

? Do you have a business story in Lowestoft? Email joe.randlesome@archant.co.uk