TWO Hampshire firms are raising their glasses to toast success in this year’s design “Oscars”.

The Paul Martin Design Company has created award-winning packaging for their Meon valley neighbours, Hartridges .

Their eyecatching labels for the soft drinks manufacturer have won the “effectiveness” category of the annual Design Business Association Awards.

The labels on the firm’s “Celebrated” range of traditional flavours, ginger beer, root beer, cloudy lemonade and Dandelion and Burdock, feature a portrait of company founder, Francis Hartridge.

The great grandfather of present owners, Martin and Christopher Hartridge, he started the business in 1868.

It’s the second time PMDC have won the effectiveness accolade but they won’t know whether it’s bronze, silver or gold this time until February, when the full results are announced.

“These awards are not just about creating a distinctive appearance for the product.

“They are principally about what your design is achieving in the marketplace and how it meets the objectives set by your client,” said the firm’s creative director, Paul Martin.

“We believe that the best design work is accountable, delivering both creatively and commercially. That’s the very essence of effective design, delivering tangible results for the client.”

Paul, a Royal College of Art graduate, started the graphic design consultancy in 1984 and continues to work with local, national and international organisations.

The Hartridges Celebrated range is on sale in branches of Waitrose throughout Hampshire.