A creator of chocolates that include ingredients such as rose and sea salt has been named chocolatier of the year.

Esher resident Keith Hurdman, a master chocolatier for Thorntons, shared the award with three others who had all received three gold stars for their creations at the Chocolatier of the Year ceremony in London on Wednesday, May 18.

The Academy of Chocolate gave Mr Hurdman his gold stars for his raspberry and rose, crunchy praline and vanilla caramel and crunchy sea salt chocolates, all created for Thorntons’ Centenary year and included in their limited edition wonder box.

Mr Hurdman, who has been a chocolatier for 25 years, said: "I’m delighted and honoured that my work at Thorntons has been recognised by the Academy of Chocolate.

"There are some fantastic chocolatiers in the UK and some very worthy winners, so I’m thrilled that these new chocolates we have created for Thorntons Centenary have been recognised amongst some of the best in the country."

The award ceremony, sponsored by port company Quinta Do Noval Port, was attended by most of the UK’s fine chocolate market, along with chocolatiers and chocolate makers from around the world.

As well as picking up the award, Mr Hurdman also won a trip to Portugal to see how port is produced.

Sara Jayne Stanes, chairperson of the Academy of Chocolate, said: “We were delighted to award Keith Hurdman joint chocolatier of the year. He’s a fantastic chocolatier and his chocolates for the Thorntons collection impressed the judges hugely.”

Thorntons’ wonder box costs £100 and is available by visiting thorntons.co.uk