The Thoughtful Bread Company received the Green Business of the Year accolade at a ceremony celebrating business start-ups last week.

The artisan bakery took the title at the Startups Awards 2010, held on December 2.

The firm produces bread with no additives or improvers. Ingredients including herbs, nettles and wild garlic are either grown or foraged for, bartered by its customers through an innovative scheme in exchange for bread or bought from local independent producers.

The bakery was selected as winner by a panel of judges made up of some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, including Toni Mascolo, founder of hairdresser Toni & Guy.