A FRUIT farm in Enfield has been named the best in the country.

Parkside Farm, in Hadley Road, is the winner of the National Pick Your Own Farm of the Year award.

The accolade is given by the National Farmers' Retailers and Markets Association (FARMA), which represents farmers, growers, producers and farmers' market organisers in the UK.

The award is based on a farm's management skills, environmental policy, customer service and, of course, the fruit.

A mystery shopper is also sent out to independently review each farm.

According to FARMA, Parkside won its award because it was well kept and the staff were always friendly.

Parkside's farmer, Richard Whitman, said: "We are really delighted to be given this award, especially because this is the first time we applied to be considered."

The farm, covering 50 acres, is one of the biggest pick-your-own farms in London, where visitors can pick their own strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumber and sweetcorn are also for sale.

Parkside Farm is family run and first opened its gates to the public in 1981.

Mr Whitman said: "It is a great place because you are able to buy fruit and vegetables as fresh as possible, with the maximum vitamin content and at good value for money.

"It is just a lovely environment with genuine countryside which is unusual in London."

All the farm's produce is available to buy and each visitor is asked to spend a minimum of £1.50, which amounts to just over 1lb of strawberries.

For more information about Parkside, visit www.parksidefarmpyo.co.uk