CHRISTMAS puddings made in Dorset will be making mouths water in royal circles as personal gifts from the Prince of Wales.

The exclusive organic festive desserts are set to tickle tastebuds after being selected as gifts by Prince Charles to thank people for their help over the year.

They have been supplied by the county-based company Puddings and Pies and will be presented to recipients in ceramic bowls.

Duchy Originals, which is a company set up by Prince Charles to make organic foods with profits going to the Princes' Trust, contacted the firm about producing a range of desserts for it and asked for Christmas puddings using an organic recipe.

Much to the delight of staff at the company, which is based at Hyle Farm, Sherborne, their puddings have been given the royal seal of approval and 450 have been made as gifts.

Managing director Richard Anderson said: "We are very pleased and delighted and we expect this could be the start of a relationship with Duchy Originals.

"We are hoping to make a range of desserts for the label next year.

"This is also recognition for all the hard work and enthusiasm of the staff here and it shows there is also a place for locally produced handmade food."

Another 1,000 puddings are also now on sale under the Duchy Originals branding at farm shops at Windsor and Highgrove royal estates as well as top London store Fortnum and Mason.

Mr Anderson added that the company had to join the Soil Association so the product could be fully verified.

The association then carried out a full audit of all the ingredients and the production, including control procedures.

After this, sample puddings were made for Duchy Originals so it could select its approved choice.

Puddings and Pies, which has 24 full- and part-time staff, was founded more than 20 years ago by Wendy Horne, who baked apple pies in her own kitchen.

The company had previously made Christmas puddings for a firm in London and they were sold at Prince Charles's Highgrove estate.

Mr Anderson said: "This year Duchy Originals approached us directly, which was wonderful."

The company continues to use local ingredients to produce traditional food, supplying to small independent outlets and at local farmers' markets.