A SMALL East Lancs company has received national recognition after being chosen to supply produce to The Open golf championship.

Golfers, like Rory McIlroy, could be among those tucking into Reedy’s Naturally jam during afternoon tea at the high profile event which begins at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club on Thursday.

Reedy’s Naturally, based at Shadsworth Industrial Estate, Blackburn, started from humble beginnings five years ago.

Now partners Lisa Reedy and John Kirby, who were hand-picked to supply the hospitality tents for the four-day event, said the business was going from strength to strength.

John said: “A few months ago we got an invite from Made In Lancashire asking if anyone wanted to bid to supply The Open. Then we got another email saying we have been summoned to met Tom Parry, the executive chef for Sodexo Prestige which is the catering company doing the Open, the recent Masters in America and catering at the Olympics.

“We went into this room with a few samples and he said do you mind if we mentioned you on the menu. We said we would be delighted and he said ‘good, because I’ve already had them printed’. The jars will be on the tables with our branding because the organisers are keen to promote local produce.”

The company will be supplying 600 jars and a 30kg catering tub of strawberry jam, and 30kg of red onion marmalade at the event.

John said: “It’s quite a sizeable order. We’re borrowing a van and delivering it today.

“When Tom Parry comes along and says we want you because it’s good quality produce it is a big recognition.”

The company started in 2005 with Lisa experimenting with a battered 1950s aluminium preserving pan and an old cookbook with a chapter on preserving techniques. Just two years, later after rave reviews from friends and family, Reedy’s was born.

The business takes the best Lancashire ingredients and turns them into delicious james, marmalades and savoury condiments.

He said: “We have produced posters to say we are supplying The Open and it has encouraged even more sales at events and farmers markets.

“When you are selected to supply a prestigious event like this you go up a peg or two. We are not just a little jam and chutney manufacturer any more, we are a serious producer - and the recognition that this brings is tremendous.”

Reedy’s has also supplied a large deli in Knightsbridge, London, just a stone’s throw away from Harrods.

Lisa, John and two part-time staff produce around 1,000 jars of produce each week.