A Cumbrian food company will soon be giving first class fliers a real taste of the high life.

Grants Oak Smoked, based in Maryport, has been invited to serve its award-winning smoked salmon to passengers in the BA first class lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

The company, which sells smoked salmon to retailers, restaurants and food companies across the globe, will be at Heathrow from Wednesday.

It will be showcasing Grants Traditional Rope Hung Scottish Smoked Salmon, which it says is its premier product.

The family company has been based in Maryport for 35 years and employs more than 100 people.

Michelle Ingham, general manager, said: “BA’s first-class lounges are internationally-renowned for their opulence, cuisine and comfort.

“Our rope hung salmon is the perfect product for its customers to try as it is recognised as being among the world’s best.

“It has just won its second gold medal at the international Monde Selection awards.

“This new honour sits alongside the Rope Hung’s Three Star Great Taste award.”

The company said it chose Scottish salmon, hand-cured it and then hung it in a brick kiln to be smoked over oak chips from Scottish whisky barrels.

Michelle added: “Each side is personally supervised by our master smoker and smoked for up to 36 hours.

“It is then allowed to rest in our conditioning room before being hand-sliced.

“It is a perfect reminder to passengers that the UK produces some of the world’s finest foods and, as ever, as part of the Made In Cumbria family, we will also be promoting our county.”

Grants Traditional Rope Hung Scottish Smoked Salmon, is sold in the Fyne Fish departments of Cranstons’ food halls at Orton Grange and Penrith and Fyne Fish in Cockermouth.