THE King’s Centre in Oxford as been awarded a ‘Golden Teaspoon’ in recognition of its efforts to reduce sugar, as part of a campaign backed by TV chef Jamie Oliver.

It was presented with the accolade at a special awards ceremony at Oxford Town Hall.

The venue in Osney Mead, which incorporates Oxfordshire Community Churches, has slashed sugar in its menus, installed water stations and has committed to provide free fruit for staff.

The King’s Centre made the changes after joining the Sugar Smart Oxford campaign and pledging to make it easier for people to reduce their sugar consumption.

The initiative, which is led by the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and Sustain, aims to make it easier for people to make healthier choices by making sugary produce less available or less well promoted.

Health experts advise consuming too much sugar and too many foods and drinks high in sugar can lead to weight gain, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes. The ceremony took place on September 26.

Michelle Fernandez, general manager at the King’s Centre, said: “We’re proud of what we have achieved by improving choice for our guests and staff. By taking some small and simple steps we have enabled people to make healthier choices. Hidden sugars are a big issue and as a large venue we believe it is important to do more to provide our visitors and staff with ways to lead healthier lives.”