ANDOVER was represented in the House of Commons last week as MPs were treated to a taste of some of the finest food and drink Hampshire has to offer.

Wessex Sprits, based in Dene Road, was invited to Parliament by North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse, along with the likes of Laverstoke Park Farm, near Overton, and Test Brewing, in Stockbridge.

Representatives from each of the companies gathered in the Jubilee Room and allowed MPs to sample their Hampshire produce.

Kate Griffin, owner of Wessex Spirits, says that Mr Malthouse has been a supporter of one of her flagship products, Test Valley Gin, after the pair met at Amport fete.

She said: “I met Kit a few years ago when I was doing a fete and he bought a bottle of gin and he’s been very supportive since.

“They do these tasting events every now and then and Kit invited me along. It was to showcase the products to the MPs and for the MPs to kind of show off what’s going on in their constituencies.

“It was just really interesting. Everyone seemed to have a genuine interest in what I was doing and how I did it and how it all started.”

Speaking on his Facebook page, Mr Malthouse gave a glowing review of the area’s food and drink industry.

He said: “We have a thriving food and drink industry in North West Hampshire. We’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit there which has seen a lot of businesses start up.

“It’s very important when small businesses start at any time that they get all encouragement, support and frankly publicity that they need.

“One of the great things about North West Hampshire is the entrepreneurial spirit and no other industry shows that more at the moment than food and drink. We seem to have a new company producing something delicious arriving everyday.”