Three of the UK’s top 10 food and drink companies are based in the Midlands, according to new research.

Catalyst Corporate Finance, which has an office in Birmingham, has compiled the Grocer Fast 50, which analyses the fastest growing privately owned companies in the sector in the past year.

The latest report shows 2012 is dominated by Midlands businesses, with ten of the top 50 based in the region, up from seven in 2011 and six in 2010.

Leading the charge is Severn and Wye Smokery in Gloucester which has climbed to fourth in the table from 12th position last year.

Westbridge Food Group, based in Malvern, was ranked fifth this year, up from seventh in 2011.

Aston Manor Brewery moved down one place from fifth to sixth spot, while 2 Sisters Food Group in Wolverhampton showed the largest climb up from 37th in the table in 2011 to 12th in 2012.

New entrants to the Fast 50 are West Bromwich based Panesar Foods in 14th, which produces a range of sauces, Smethwick’s Scheff Foods in 47th, which makes frozen food for the foodservices industry and Herefordshire cider maker H. Weston & Sons in 49th.

Simon Peacock, director at Catalyst, said: “The Midlands has always been a strong manufacturing region and food and drink is a robust sector within the industry.

“We believe the success is due to stronger battle hardened business thinking in a sector with significant growth opportunities.”