31 August 2006: Langley Chase Organic Farm, (www.langleychase.co.uk), has the tastiest organic sheep in Britain, winning gold and silver for its mutton and mutton and mint burgers at the National Organic Food Awards run by the Soil Association, it was announced today. This is the third successive year the Langley Chase Manx Loghtan’s have won a major award, Langley Chase lamb won ‘best organic lamb in Britain’ in 2003 and 2004 at the Organic Food Awards.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, chef and National Organic Food Awards judge, presented Mrs Jane Kallaway with her award at Bordeaux Quay, Bristol on the eve of the Soil Association’s Organic Food Festival and Fortnight.

Langley Chase Organic Farm, Chippenham, Wiltshire, only produces Manx Loghtan sheep, a striking, multi-horned, ancient rare breed believed to have been introduced into the UK by the Vikings. The Farm sells its award winning lamb, year lamb, mutton and a wide variety of sausages and burgers to customers across the UK via it’s website www.langleychase.co.uk. In addition to its taste, the Manx Loghtan is also significantly leaner* - lower in both fat and cholesterol - than commercial breeds, making Langley Chase lamb and mutton an award winning, healthy, organic choice.

Raymond Blanc, Sophie Grigson, Giles Coren, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and Darina Allen were amongst the judges of this year’s Soil Association Organic Food Awards. About Langley Chase’s mutton and mutton and mint burgers the judges said: “It has a fantastic flavour, is delicious and fresh, and has great colour and texture.”

Mrs Jane Kallaway said: “Producing high quality lamb and mutton is our passion, we’re thrilled with the awards and overjoyed our mutton has been recognised as the best in Britain by such expert judges. We’ve always been very enthusiastic about mutton as it’s so adaptable and tasty. It’s great that we can now say we’ve now got award winning mutton as well as lamb!

“The farm continues to grow as does interest from the public in both our sheep and the way we farm. Over the past 12 months we’ve increased our farm visits programme, broadened the farm’s biodiversity action plan and increased the range of products we sell from mutton to sheepskins.”

Langley Chase has seen an increase in demand for mutton as food lovers become more aware of the versatility and taste the meat provides. Prince Charles lists mutton as his favourite food and launched The Mutton Renaissance Club in February 2006 to raise the profile of the meat.