THE finalists have now been shortlisted for the Hereford Times Food and Drink Awards 2018.

The judges carefully made their selection from the fantastic array of entries on Monday.

The judges were: Newsquest events director Sue Griffiths, editor of the Hereford Times John Wilson, head of media sales at Hereford Times Debra Orr, David Curtis from Duchy of Cornwall, Sonia Owen and Darren Seward from NFU Mutual, Moira Davidson and Darren Sockett from Hereford's Buttermarket and Suzy Hillier from Three Counties Showground.

Next week we will publish the finalists' supplement.

The award categories are as follows: Best Cider Producer, Best Restaurant or Dining Pub, Best Brewer, Best Dairy Producer, Best Cafe or Tearoom, Best Food Producer, Best Butchers, Community Pub of the Year, Best Independent Food and Drink Retailer, Best Drinks Producer and Best Farm Shop.