AN ARTISAN ice cream maker based at a farm on borders of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire has scooped a top task to supply the shop at Highgrove Royal Gardens.

Just Rachel at Bromsberrow, near Ledbury, has been making luxury ice cream for 30 years to a traditional 19th century recipe, using local ingredients wherever possible.

The cooling sweet dessert has no additives and has won a number of Great Taste Awards and last year launched a range of award winning dairy free/vegan ice creams.

It has now received royal approval by being commissioned as the ice cream supplier to the Royal Garden at the Gloucestershire home of Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall.

Their private gardens are open to the public from April to October every years and all profits from the sale of products, tour and events are donated to The Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation.

Highgrove Enterprises, which run the tours and shop, strive to support traditional crafts and artisan makers, placing importance on ethical and sustainable sourcing.

Sarah Cooper, who owns Just Rachel, said: “Ice cream is a new product line that Highgrove is breaking into. They have never sold it in the shop before.”

Highgrove Enterprises contacted Just Rachel about two months ago because it was looking for an ice cream supplier with similar ethos.

“They were looking for a company which would reflect their values,” said Sarah. “They were looking to us and two other producers. We talked to them, took the ice cream for them to try and they are now stocking it.

“We had to meet with them and talk about the ingredients and the way we make the ice cream. We also took some samples of different flavours for them to try.”

The Highgrove shop is now stocking Just Rachel Damson and Sloe Gin (three star Great Taste Award winner 2014); Gooseberry and Elderflower; Salted Caramel (one star Great Taste Award winner); Strawberry and Champagne (two star Great Taste Award winner 2015) and Vanilla (first prize at the Royal Three Counties Show 2015) ice creams.

“We are really delighted when they approached us and we are really happy to be supplying them. It is great to work with similar organisations that have the same values.”