Two Norfolk brewers are the toast of the county after picking up awards in the Campaign For Real Ale's (CAMRA) East Anglian Cider Competition.

Whin Hill Cider shop at Wells was the venue for the presentation ceremony and Peter Lynn and Jim Fergusson, of Whin Hill, received a certificate for their winning perry along with Robbie Crone of Crones Organic Cider, in Kenninghall, who was rewarded for his Owld Norfolk Cider.

The winning perry, Whin Hill Perry, was described by judges as having 'an oakey fruit aroma with a hint of toffee, and then full of tangy flavours, followed by a smooth dry finish which rounds it out to a well balanced drink'.

Mr Fergusson said: 'We are very pleased to have won the perry award. It really made all the hard work of establishing our orchards of perry pears and cider apples at Stanhoe worthwhile.'

Crone's Owld Norfolk was described by judges as having a 'very pleasant, subtle fruit, honey, and flowery aroma, as well as a rounded balanced flavour, with a lemon/lime hint.

The full apple fruity after taste that faded slowly was very enjoyable'.

Mr Crone said 'I can only say I'm delighted with the win and very pleased to find that our efforts to produce a top quality cider from Norfolk grown apples has met with success.

'In 2008 we decided to invest in improved storage and maturation vessels in order to see if we could produce a smoother and more refined end-product by allowing it to age for the full two years.'

Chris Rouse, CAMRA's regional cider co-ordinator for East Anglia said, 'It is no coincidence that both winners grow and use their own fruit - a key factor in consistent quality.'

The competition took place at CAMRA's Norwich Beer Festival last year and more on the cider and perry campaign can be found at www.camra.org.uk/cider.