IT'S what every self-confessed chocoholic has been waiting for - National Chocolate Week, which starts on Monday (OCT 12).

And to help celebrate, Dorset's multi award-winning artisan chocolatier, Chococo has some sweet treats in store to tantalise your tastebuds.

Founded by Claire and Andy Burnet 12 years ago in Swanage, Chococo makes all its fresh handmade chocolates from fine origin cocoa from Venezuela, Madagascar, the Caribbean and Vietnam.

It also uses local produce, including fresh Dorset cream, to make its mouth-watering creations.

Since starting the business they have won 54 fine food awards for their fine chocolates and last month they won Dorset Food Producer of the Year in the 2015 Dorset Magazine Food Drink & Farming Awards.

Every day throughout the week there will be a chance to sample different chocolates at the Swanage based store as well as some special offers.

On Friday October 16 some of Chococo’s chocolatiers will be at the store to talk to customers and answer questions, as well as giving customers the opportunity to sample new Christmas chocolates.

Claire Burnet, co-founder of Chococo says: "Chocolate week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about fine chocolate and, with sugar being in the press so much recently, to educate consumers about the differences between fine versus mass-produced commercial chocolate loaded with sugar and other additives.

"We're also really proud of what we have achieved at Chococo in creating truly fresh chocolates full of local fabulous flavours which keep winning awards.This is also a week to show that great quality chocolatiers creating exciting flavours do exist outside of London!"

To keep up to date with what Chococo is doing over Chocolate Week 2015 visit the website chococo.co.uk.