Lee Abbey was rewarded for its commitment to Fairtrade last week at the South-West Fairtrade Business Awards.

The Christian holiday and conference centre has been running in North Devon since 1945 and has for several years been using a combination of fairtrade and locally sourced produce in its meals and refreshments for guests.

Levi Roots, chef and entrepreneur presented the awards at the ceremony in Colston Hall, Bristol.

The celebration was opened by the Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, and attended by 160 business leaders from across the country.

Lee Abbey was announced the winner of three main categories, receiving the Gold Award for Best Fairtrade Accommodation, Gold Award for Best Fairtrade Food outlet, and Winner of the Best Fairtrade Retailer 2013.

Commenting on their choice of Lee Abbey, the judges said: "What an incredible range of fairtrade products stocked and activities undertaken. This was a very strong category but this business won because they had such a consistent message coming through all they do. A very impressive entry."

The purpose of the awards is to promote the sale of fairtrade goods. Roots recently travelled to Ghana, where he visited fairtrade farmers and saw how fairtrade was helping the communities in the country.

Sales of fairtrade products are helping farmers in developing countries earn a fair living from their produce.