IT has been a busy few months for Moreton Tearooms near Wareham.

After winning Blackmore Vale Media's Taste of Dorset "Best Tearoom" award for the second year running, it has now been named South West Café/Tearoom of the Year at the recent Taste of the West Awards. The TOTW awards, now in their 17th year, have become some of the most respected in the food and drink industry. The judge described the Tearooms as "almost faultless" adding, "the food was great, and the presentation has a professionalism about it with wonderful friendly staff. A fabulous afternoon tea experience."

Winning this award entitled Moreton Tearooms to be considered for the "Taste" category of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards and they were indeed shortlisted, together with four other cafes, pubs and restaurants in the region.

Gordon Sutherland, chef/proprietor, said: "We are delighted to have been recognised by Taste of the West for our service and home-baking across so many counties. The South West Tourism judges lunched with us and described our food as 'superb'. We are slowly becoming a destination in our own right."

Gordon and Kate Sutherland took over Moreton Tearooms in March 2009 and pride themselves on creating their entire menu on site. Gordon cooks with a simple and rustic style where the freshness and quality of the – almost completely - locally-sourced ingredients are key.

The village of Moreton is a popular stop for visitors to the area. Lawrence of Arabia is buried in the graveyard whilst St Nicholas' Church boasts Laurence Whistler-engraved windows.

Behind the Tearooms, the longest ford in Dorset gives way to attractive walking and cycling country. It is just a few miles down the road from the larger attractions of the Tank Museum at Bovington Camp and Monkey World.