TWO young entrepreneurial Lampeter siblings are savouring the sweet taste of success after scooping 'rural oscars' in the Countryside Alliance Awards.

Tom Sweet, 15, and sister Lottie, 11, were both handed the Hunter Rural Hero (aged 15 and under) award during a special reception at the House of Lords last month.

Judges said they were forced to give both of them awards because "they could not choose between them".

Tom was recognised after setting up his own Spice Thyme herb and spice business and Lottie for her Sweet Deer reindeer hire business.

"It was quite a shock when they announced we were the winners because they didn't say our names at first but when they said there must be something magic in the water in Lampeter I knew it was us," said a delighted Tom.

"It means a lot to me because it's my first real award. I've had a Blue Peter badge but this is the first award I've got and it will be a inspiration for me."

Tom, who like his sister has overcome dyslexia to begin realising his business ambitions, made a big impression on cook Clarissa Dickson Wright, one of this year's judges.

"She was very pleased someone was doing something about food at a young age and being a chef liked what I was doing with curries," he added.

Ms Dickson Wright also gave Lottie some sponsorship for her reindeer hire business. Lottie said the hero award had come as a shock.

"It was a big day and I was very excited and nervous."

The youngsters, who both attend Aberaeron School, are following in the entrepreneurial footsteps of parents Kevin Sweet and Nikki Crewes-Sweet.

They won a Barclays Trading Places Award for the Toloja Orchards cider business they set up at Dihewyd, near Lampeter, in 2005.

Kevin said: "We're extremely proud of both of them and it was all done on their own merit."

On the day the family were hosted by Ceredigion MP Mark Williams and enjoyed tea and cake with him. The Countryside Alliance Awards — nicknamed the 'Rural Oscars' — have been running for six years and were set up to celebrate the characters, produce, traditions and enterprise of the countryside.

This year's judging panel was chaired by CA Chief Executive Alice Barnard and included Ms Wright, Philip Johnston of the Daily Telegraph, Emma Penny of Farmers Guardian and Chris Dewbury of Hunter Boot. Judges joked that this year's heroes were from the same family, so there must be something in the water in the Lampeter area before commending Tom for taking the "exceptional step" of setting up his own herb and spice business at the age 12 to help him build confidence.

They noted his incredible hard work in supplying shops within Wales and beyond and the launch of his own curry kits.

Lottie was commended for her entrepreneurial flair after saving up for three years to realise her ambition of owning reindeer.

The Rural Heroes of 2010 were both congratulated on their hard work, love of the countryside great ideas.