One of the leading event catering firms in the Scottish Borders, The Orde Food Company, is celebrating this week after picking up a top national award.

The company, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, was judged joint winner in the Rural Family Business of the Year - Small/medium sized business - in the Scottish Family Business of the Year Awards, run by Business Gateway and The Herald newspaper.

The awards celebrate the success of the country’s innovative family businesses and the contribution that they make to the communities in which they operate, and the wider economy.

The Orde Food Company currently employs 18 full and part-time staff as well as around 30 casual staff and organises a variety of events in the South of Scotland and Northern England ranging from weddings and corporate events to dinners and family celebrations.

It also operates visitor centre café restaurants and event catering services at a number of historic houses.

The company is run by brothers Justin and Christian Orde, the second generation of the Orde family to be involved in the business, which was started by their mother, Gill.

Justin Orde, Managing Director, The Orde Food Company, picked up the Award at a glittering black tie ceremony in Glasgow on Wednesday.

He said; “We’re tremendously proud to have won this Award.

"As a family business, we believe we deliver a special level of care and commitment that our clients appreciate and it’s great that the Awards judges have recognised the professionalism, commitment and passion that we have for what we do. We’re delighted that we’ve been able to bring this important accolade back to the Borders and want to thank our team of fantastic employees for all of their hard work in helping us create such a thriving business for the region.”