Pictured above: Nigel Byrne from the Co-op accepting his award from the Mayor

Greengrocer Bernie Fray certainly knows his onions - and other vegetables and fruit, and he has got certificates to prove it.

For his shop 5-A-Day has won the title of best place to buy food locally for the fourth successive year in the Ilkeston Good Town Trader Awards for 2010.

The scheme is organised by enterprise agency Erewash Partnership with the borough council's Pride in Erewash campaign, and aims to highlight the attraction of shopping locally.

The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of businesses, rewarding them for their commitment to excellence and customer service.

Bernie only opened his Bath Street shop in December 2006, so he is very pleased to have won the award in each year that he has been fully open.

He says he has a good team of four staff. "We go to markets in Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester first thing in the morning, sometimes as early as 3am, to get the best produce from all over the world throughout the year," he said.

His shop's title reflects the campaign for healthy eating. "I'm a great believer in fresh fruit and veg to provide good healthy meals," he added.

At the other end of town a shop which gives hungry people that filling feeling is celebrating after winning a hat trick of awards for the best sarnie.

Truly Scrumptious in South Street has also now notched up four successive awards, having also won one previously for the best place to buy food locally. 

Owner Simon Clarke has run the shop for 26 years and is helped by wife Lesley and four part-time staff. The shop also provides a full catering service.

"I'm very pleased to know that we are a cut above the rest," said Simon, who attributes his success to "using the best products available locally at the right price."

The shop's top seller is his special sandwich - home-cooked ham with beetroot relish and cheese and spring onion sandwich filler.

Another trader in South Street, Camomile chiropody and podiatry centre, has won the award for the most friendly store to disabled people two years running.

Sharon Flint has run the centre for 12 years and has three staff. She entered the competition for the first time last year. "Having won it once we thought we would try again and are delighted to have succeeded," she said.

"The centre is totally accessible by people in mobility scooters and wheelchairs and we also offer a home service.

"We have a loyal customer base and I'm pleased that they think so much of us."

The awards - a trophy and a certificate - were presented by the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Robert Parkinson, and Erewash market towns co-ordinator Paul Calladine at a ceremony at the Partnership's offices in Wharncliffe Road.

"These awards mean a lot to the businesses concerned because they are voted for by the customers themselves, the people who regularly visit these places and spend their money there," said Paul

"While there are some new winners, the fact that some premises have repeatedly won awards in the same or other sections speaks volumes."

Award winners:

Best café/restaurant - Ilkeston Coffee Bean; Best pint & pub grub - Sir John Warren; Best place to buy food - 5-A-Day; Best customer service - Dance Rite; Most attractive market stall - Leen Valley Plants; Most friendly store to babies and children - Dragonflies; Most friendly store to people with disabilities - Camomile; Cleanest shop front - Ilkeston Co-op Department Store; Best window display - Flower Flare; Super sandwich - Truly Scrumptious