“We’re 100 per cent Dorset.”

The proud claim of Cherry Picked Hampers.

The independent business, founded by Hayley Davis and Laurie Griffin seven years ago, creates hampers filled with food and drink of the highest quality.

And all from Dorset.

The hampers are despatched in their thousands across the UK, and worldwide, and never more so than at this time of year.

Laurie, 41, said: “We decided at the beginning that being 100 per cent Dorset would be our little niche.

“Everything is from our county, from the sparkling wines by Langham Wine Estate and the Furleigh Estate to chocolates, cheeses, jams, biscuits, chutneys and more.”

In fact, Cherry Picked Hampers uses upwards of 200 separate products from around 50 Dorset businesses.

And although the company, based in Winterborne Whitechurch, operates all year round about 70 per cent of its business is done at Christmas.

Hayley, 48, said: “Each and every hamper is designed from scratch by ourselves with our customers at heart.

“I like the arty side of the hampers in terms of making them look good.

“I’m very particular.”

Hayley and Laurie first met and struck up a friendship at the school gate.

Hayley’s partner, Darren, came up with the idea of starting a hamper company.

Laurie said: “The idea for the name came from cherry picking the best items.

“We were looking for something that would fit in with our childcare arrangements.

“It’s worked very well.”

From day one both women were determined to run the business from separate premises and not from their homes.

They moved to their present location in The Old Cart House three years ago.

The array of hampers is vast.

In fact, probably too many according to Hayley who lives in Milborne St Andrew.

She said: “We really want to cater for all budgets and tastes and give people a variety.

“Instead of having ten or 15 we have loads of them.”

Prices start from around £16 up to £250.

They range from traditional hand-woven wicker hampers to contemporary gift trays, boxes  hand-tied with ribbon and environmentally-friendly Jute bags.

Cherry Picked Hampers can call in casuals when times get particularly busy but Hayley and Laurie’s days can still be punishing.

Hayley said: “We can work extremely long hours, especially at Christmas.

“We’ll be in at 7am and sometimes finish at 2am the following morning.”

Laurie, who moved to Milton Abbas from Surrey in 2014 and previously worked in Formula One racing, said the business was very satisfying to run.

She said: “We’re the originals and have seen hamper companies come and go.

“Our feedback is five-star and people love it.

“We have our own website but people like the fact they can phone a local number and speak to us instead of a call centre.

“Some of our customers don’t use the internet so we could be on the phone for half an hour.

“It’s a really bespoke service.”

Corporate clients include the banking, legal and building sectors.

Hayley and Laurie also run The Cherry Bar, a 1960’s trailer renovated by Laurie’s partner, John, a classic car restorer, and used for weddings, festivals and special occasions.

Cherry Picked Hampers also has a sister brand, Hampers of England, for customers wanting products from outside Dorset and aimed at a more corporate market.

One particular perk of the business is trying out new products.

Hayley said: “We get sent lots of samples from people who want us to sell their products in our hampers.

“It can be very tempting.”

Laurie added: “We love eating the food.

“You have to have a lot of willpower to resist at times.”

• cherrypickedhampers.co.uk