DERBY honey-making business Littleover Apiaries is one of many food producers in the UK that firmly believes in locally sourced food.

The company, which started life in the late 1990s as a small Derbyshire honey farm, is now one of the major honey producers in Europe.

Founder Tony Spacey, who is also a keen fisherman, says despite his success he believes in keeping his feet on the ground and in “giving something back” to the community.

“We still pride ourselves on being a family company and we even donate five percent of all our profits to charity,” says Tony.

“The honey is gathered from all over the eastern counties of England and we always specialise in the very best of British produce but are proud to bring the same level of commitment and care to our international speciality honeys.

“Our range of honeys are packed in traditional glass jars and although plastic-squeeze is trendy, glass is more easily recycled and is ultimately less harmful to the environment.

“As part of our commitment to the environment we only use packaging that is either recycled or of a 100% recyclable nature,” he says.

Littleover Apiaries operates some of the highest quality standards in the European honey industry. According to Tony he doesn’t heat treat or blend his honey and only uses gravity filtration to ensure that his honey is in the jar in as natural state as possible.

“After all, the bees have been producing perfect honey long before man became involved” adds Tony.

The Derbyshire company is also researching the relationships between the nine main enzymes present in all good honey and the effects of chemical residue and metal contamination now being found in a lot of cheaper honeys.

“We will continue to endeavour to constantly raise the standards and be at the forefront of the British Honey Industry, whilst also committing to put something back into our communities,” says the very enthusiastic Mr Spacey.

Locally sourced foods will be showcased this summer in the Totally Food Show area of The CLA Game Fair, the world's largest countryside event, which will be held at Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire, on Friday, 23 July - Sunday 25 July.

The event promotes all aspects of country life and attracts more than 136,000 visitors. The Totally Food Show, which includes the British Food Village and Cookery Demonstration Theatre, sponsored by Great British Life.

Advanced ticket line 0844 848 0990. Tickets can also be purchased throughout The Game Fair at the entrances or through the website http://www.gamefair.co.uk/