A Norwich mushroom business which grew out of a healthy eating drive during the pandemic has won a food industry accolade.

The Norfolk Mushroomery was presented with the Norfolk Food and Drink Hero award at the Aylsham Show.

The firm is run by Bianca Boxley from her home in Thorpe, where a barn contains hydroponic growing tents equipped with humidifiers, dehumidifiers and heating panels to create the optimum growing conditions for her crop.

She grows a range of gourmet and "functional" mushrooms including oyster, shiitake, lion's mane, maitake, reishi and turkey tail.

As well as selling fresh mushrooms, the company also makes aromatic mushroom seasonings, powders and coffees, and sells grow-your-own mushroom kits.

Mrs Boxley, who is also an interior designer, said it all began during the Covid pandemic when her husband Nick suffered some health problems.

"Nick was unwell, he had his gallbladder removed, and the doctor advised us not to eat quite so much meat, so I started growing mushrooms for ourselves, and then friends asked: Could you grow me some mushrooms?'

"It just 'mushroomed' from there - I made it into a business and here I am.

"Most of the oyster edibles are a good source of vitamin D, which helps your immunity. Then you get into the functional mushrooms like lion's mane, which is good for cognitive health - it helps with memory or focus.

"Turkey tail is also very popular, it is good to build immunity and helps with inflammation, so for people who have arthritis and things like that, it can help take the pain from their joints."

The firm sells its products at food festivals and farmers markets, and through the company's website.

On receiving the award, Mrs Boxley said: "It is nice to be recognised, because it is a lot of hard work."