A CAFE which has the community at the heart of everything it does it vying for the Socially Responsible Business of the Year title.

The Lemon Tree was created by owner Karen Whiting in Nether Poppleton in 2014.

Right from the start all the products were ethically and locally sourced, with coffee coming from fairtrade wholesaler The Wicked Coffee Company in Thorp Arch, Wetherby.

As time progressed Mrs Whiting switched to an eco-packaging company called VegWare for her takeaway cups and lids, and she now pays an extra weekly charge to City of York Council for al her paper, cardboard and plastic to be recycled.

She also packages all the used coffee grounds and make them available free of charge to passers-by for use as an organic soil conditioner on their garden or allotment.

Mrs Whiting said: “I am keen to support other local, independent businesses. I recently began purchasing fresh flowers for the tables from a new project called Flower Power – a not-for-profit social enterprise based in Nether Poppleton.

“ I display and sell handmade greetings cards on behalf of a talented, young art student from Poppleton and I have sponsored the local amateur dramatic society, Poppleton Players, the annual Poppleton Sports Day, Poppleton Live music festival and the Gardeners’ Guild Fete.

“I also initiated and ran a fundraising project for the purchase of Poppleton’s first Community Public Access Defibrillator. We now have a defibrillator available twenty-four hours a day situated outside the Post Office in Nether Poppleton.

“I have been touched by the kindness and support of my customers and hope The Lemon Tree continues to play an important role in their life and that of the local community.”