Judging is about to get under way in the Countryside Alliance's third annual competition, with 11 short-listed local retailers vying for a regional title and the chance of national glory.
The competition seeks to celebrate rural communities through the retailers who work so tirelessly to keep them together and promote local produce, skills and enterprise. More than 2,500 nominations were received from across the UK and have been whittled down to 200 regional finalists, 11 of which are in the North East. By mid-December one overall regional winner will be announced in each of the following categories:
1. Best Local Food Retailer. 2. Best Diversification. 3. Best Village Shop/ Post Office. 4. The Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business.
Richard Dodd, Countryside Alliance Regional Director for the North East and leader of the regional judging panel, said: "We have received a very high calibre of nominations which does the region proud, and it's good to that see old friends and winners such as David Carr in Longframlington and High House Farm Brewery at Matfen have made the cut once again, next to newcomers to the shortlist such as Tully's of Rothbury in Northumberland and the County Durham-based Piercebridge Organic Farm and Blanchland Post Office.
"Our short-listed retailers are exactly what this competition is about: diversity, warmth, dedication and a passion for community and the countryside.
"I would like to thank everyone who nominated their retailer — there is a massive buzz around this competition because it celebrates people alongside skills and produce, and no competition has ever honoured rural people in this way before. Clearly it was high time we did."

Who is on the shortlist:


BEST LOCAL FOOD CATEGORY
1. The Country Barn, Widdrington, Morpeth, Northumberland (shortlisted in 2006)
2. The Deli Around the Corner, Tynemouth
3. Tully's of Rothbury, Northumberland
4. Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, Co.Durham (shortlisted in 2006)

BEST VILLAGE SHOP/ POST OFFICE CATEGORY
1.David Carr, Longframlington, Northumberland (National winner in 2006, Regional winner in 2005)
2. Allendale Co-operative Society, Allendale, Northumberland
3. Blanchland Post Office, Consett, County Durham

BEST DIVERSIFICATION CATEGORY
1. The High House Farm Brewery, Matfen, Newcastle (Regional winner in 2006)
2. Piercebridge Organic Farm shop, Darlington, Co.Durham

DAILY TELEGRAPH BEST TRADITIONAL BUSINESS
1. Keenan Butcher, Wolsingham, Co. Durham
2. Walkers Chemist, Hexham, Northumerbland

Best Local Food Category

1. The Country Barn, Widdrington, Morpeth, Northumberland (shortlisted in 2006)
2. The Deli Around the Corner, Tynemouth
3. Tully's of Rothbury, Northumberland
4. Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, Co.Durham