FIVE businesses in Herefordshire are in the running for a 'rural Oscar'.

Butchers DT Waller & Sons in Ledbury, The Moody Cow pub in Upton Bishop, Kington Village Shop and The Royal George in Lingen are all on regional final list for the 2024 Countryside Alliance Awards.

The businesses have been praised by North Herefordshire MP Sir Bill Wiggin who said he was "delighted" that four north Herefordshire businesses had made it to the regional final of the prestigious awards.

Neil Powell Butchers in Hereford, which falls under fellow MP Jesse Norman's constituency, has also reached the regional finals. 

"They are fantastic local businesses and this news is a testament to the services they provide to their local communities," Sir Bill said.

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"I encourage everyone to visit the awards’ website to show their support for their local businesses by voting.”

The Countryside Alliance Awards are now in their seventeenth year and celebrate British food and farming, enterprise and heritage through recognising small hard-working businesses.

They are driven by public nomination and offer customers the chance to support their favourite businesses.

This year, the awards received thousands of nominations, so the four businesses in Sir Bill’s constituency have done extremely well to reach the regional final.

More information about the awards and how to vote can be found here: www.countryside-alliance.org/campaigns/countryside-alliance-awards