A PIONEERING egg producer has beaten off stiff competition to win a national award.

Good Egg Fellas, based in Sadberge near Darlington, was named British Free Range Egg Producer of the Year at a ceremony in Birmingham, run by the British Free Range Egg Producer's Association, on Wednesday.

The business which has 16,000 hens and produces more than 5m eggs a year has been running since 2009 and was one of the first to sell eggs online.

Phil Twizell started the business because his customers wanted to know where their eggs come from and to speak directly to the person who looks after the hens.

Mr Twizell said: "Provenance and freshness are extremely important to our customers who range from bakers, catering companies, hotels and restaurants. We are delighted to receive our very first award today in recognition of our approach to egg production."

Good Egg Fellas, who employ five staff, supply most of their online egg sales to customers in and around the London area and they are packed and dispatched on the day they are laid for next day delivery.

Mr Twizell said: "The welfare of our hens is our main priority and we ensure they are happy hens because, happy hens lay happy eggs. We receive excellent feedback from our customers so we know we are getting things right and the award today is further recognition of that which I am delighted about."

Myles Thomas, chairman of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association said: "Phil's business is a prime example of doing the job well and managing the business for survival into the future."

Mr Twizell also supplies Chippindale Foods which packs 4m eggs a week to supply major retailers throughout Yorkshire and the North East.

Mr Twizell entered free range production after carrying out considerable research, which included visiting many existing producers.

He said: "After a good look around, I decided to join Chippindale Foods. I was impressed by their professional attitude and business ethics.

"When you embark on a new enterprise, there is a lot of learning to do in a short space of time and Chippindales provided unbiased advice on all the little things which crop up as you gain experience."

The judges praised his attention to detail, and the high standards he sets himself, which have been carried forward through each flock of birds.

Every flock has produced outstanding results with each one being kept in lay a little longer, as he has managed them to ensure outstanding productivity and egg quality.

The partnership with Chippindale's allows Mr Twizell to enjoy the freedom to select his own feed and pullet suppliers – he attributes much of his success on being able to impose his high standards on all the key inputs.

Peter Chignall, of Chippindale Foods, said: "We are all delighted for Phil and his team, the award is fully deserved for all their hard work and attention to detail – well done!"

Chippindale works closely with its producers to help them maximise the best they can get out of their flocks.