NORTHWICH has three new accolades to add to its trophy cabinet as one of the best places to live in the UK.

In the past 12 months the town has been named twice in the Times’ list of the best 101 places to live in the country, the area has the best afternoon tea in the UK at Davenports, in Bartington, and the best club in the nation to enjoy a real ale is Barnton Cricket Club.

Now the area also boasts award-winning cider, one of the top 50 fish and chip shops in the country and the best waste recycling centre in the UK.

Cider success

Little Leigh cider maker Matt Veasey, from Nooks Yard Cider and Perry, is celebrating after his traditional still cider won best product in show at the Big Apple Blossomtime Cider and Perry Trials in Hertfordshire.

It won the draught dry class with double the votes of the second placed cider and scooped the Best Product award out of 190 ciders and perries.

Matt also won third places in draught dry perry and bottle conditioned perry categories.

“I’m pretty shocked really,” he said.

“When I was tasting the ciders, I thought one did seem to stand out from all the others.

“While it did taste like my cider, I couldn't dare hope that’s what it actually was.”

He added: “To win best product in show is amazing when you think of all the other top-class producers who've entered.”

Chip shop mystery challenge

The Codfather, in Manchester Road, has been named as one of the top 50 chippies in the UK after it was visited by mystery diners and scored 96 per cent.

This was out of 500 chippies that entered the competition, run by Fry Magazine.

Owner Matt Orange said: “We’ve not won anything like this before but it doesn't really sink in.

“When you speak to people they say it’s a really big achievement but to us we’re not doing anything different to what we normally do.”

Top tip is tip top

Northwich Household Waste Recycling Centre has been named the top facility of its kind in the country.

It was chosen as the Civic Amenity Site of the Year in the Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management 2014.

Judges praised the wide range of recyclables accepted at the Northwich facility and the increased volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment coming on to the site.

They also noted that improved signage and significant engagement from site staff were helping to boost recycling rates, which are forecast to hit 78 per cent this summer.

Clr Lynn Riley, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive member for localities, said: “The Household Waste Recycling Centre is a great asset for Northwich, with a modern design, plenty of room for circulating and parking and some outstanding recycling and reuse facilities.

“We are delighted that it has been chosen as a model of excellence for sites across the country to aspire to.

“This well-deserved award is testament to the hard work of the council and its partners, and particular praise should go to the site staff whose helpful and professional approach is a major factor in its high customer satisfaction levels.

“At a time when there is so much happening in and around the town - including the very exciting BID – this is yet another opportunity to put Northwich on the national map.”