A DIGITAL marketing firm from Hereford is in the running to be named one of the best rural businesses in the UK after being shortlisted for a regional award.

The DM Lab has been shortlisted in the Best Rural Digital, Communications or Media Business category at the 2019/20 Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon. The local company will battle it out against fellow rural businesses, entrepreneurs and enterprises from across the region for a place at the national final.

Established in 2010, the design and digital marketing agency based in Aubrey Street will come up against other teams from the Midlands in the regional final in the autumn, before the national final in February.

Chris Tipping from the DM Lab said: "We're thrilled to be shortlisted for a Rural Business Award. Knowing companies like Amazon support and recognise what we are doing gives us a great boost.

"We're really looking forward to attending the Regional Finals of the Rural Business Awards later in the year."

The Rural Business Awards 2019/20, in partnership with Amazon, will mark the awards' fifth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK's rural economy. More than 3.4 million people are employed in over 750,000 rural businesses in England alone.

Director and Co-Founder of The Rural Business Awards, Anna Price, said: "The 2019/20 Awards have seen record numbers of entries and it's encouraging to see so many rural businesses express a desire to celebrate their successes on a regional and national scale.

"We are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where rural businesses can develop, and this starts by showcasing the great work they do.

"On behalf of everyone at the Rural Business Awards, we want to say well done to The DM Lab, and all the shortlisted businesses, and wish them luck ahead of the regional finals."