THE annual Countryside Alliance Awards are now open to nominations, with Winchester MP Steve Brine urging the community to get involved.

The awards, nicknamed the “Rural Oscars”, were born of a need to support and promote rural communities.

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

READ MORE: Hampshire MP encourages nominations for Countryside Alliance Awards

The awards feature five categories: the Local Food Award, Village Shop/Post Office Award, Rural Enterprise Award, Butcher Award and Rural Pub Award.

Mr Brine said: “These awards are an excellent way to promote the local businessmen and women who are working hard to keep rural Britain thriving. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition, so please get involved and nominate today. Let’s see if we can bring a British title home and tell a positive story about Winchester and Chandler’s Ford.”

Nominations for the awards are open on the Countryside Alliance website until Sunday, November 12.

Judging will then take place and national winners will be announced at the House of Lords in June 2024.