Time to vote in “rural Oscars”

Readers can nominate their favourite local butcher, pub, rural enterprise or shop in the Countryside Alliance Awards, which celebrate British food and farming, enterprise and heritage.

The awards allow satisfied customers the opportunity to say why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim. Countryside Alliance awards director Sarah Lee said: “These awards are a fantastic way to applaud our rural businesses for all the hard work that they do to help keep our local communities alive. I would urge everyone who wants to support their local businesses and communities to nominate them and give them the boost they so richly deserve.”

Nominations must be received by 9 December 2018. Shortlisting will then take place and the final will be held in June 2019 at the House of Lords.

Nominations can be made at po.st/caawards.

Last year’s finalists in the Countryside Alliance awards gather on the terrace at the House of Lords