Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond is urging local people to nominate a rural business for this year’s Countryside Alliance Awards.

Dubbed the Rural Oscars, the annual awards are now open to public nomination.

They celebrate people going the extra mile to ensure that rural Britain’s food and farming industry, small businesses, traditional skills, enterprises and its people can flourish.

Mrs Drummond said: “I am a big fan of the wonderful rural businesses we have in Meon Valley and I hope local people nominate as many as possible so they have a chance to be honoured in these prestigious awards.

“I would love for a winner to come from this part of Hampshire and there are so many brilliant businesses to choose from too.

“There is no doubt that those who have won in the past received a boost to their business.”

The award categories are local food, village shop/ post office, rural enterprise, butcher and rural pub. 

Nominations can be lodged online at countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/countryside-alliance-awards/the-countryside-alliance-awards-are-back until November 12.

Judging will then take place and regional finalists will be announced in December, with the national winners being crowned at the grand final at the House of Lords in June next year.