The Country Barn in Widdrington has been named the region's Best Rural Retailer for Local Food just a year after opening.

The outlet, which is run by Sarah Oakey and Hugh Annett, has already achieved success as a finalist in several competitions, including one for its first-rate sausages, but the couple say the latest Countryside Alliance award is the icing on the cake.

"This is the best competition we have been in with it being the public who have recommended us for it," said Miss Oakey.

"It is such an achievement considering the farm shop has just been open a year and our coffee shop only opened in April. It is quite a feather in our cap.

"We didn't expect it at all because the competition is so tough. There are a lot of other high calibre businesses in the region.

"Considering we are such a new business it has really boosted our confidence."

The shop is located in a former cart shed, which has been carefully restored by local tradesmen, and as well as beef and lamb from Widdrington Farm, it also offers rare breed pork, whole chickens, ice cream, bread, eggs, honey, milk, fruit, vegetables and other products.

The business has recently been extended to include a coffee shop and gift shop, selling a range of crafts.

When one customer compared the shop to Harrods, staff wrote to the Knightsbridge store owner Mohamed Al Fayed and received a reply welcoming the description.

"We have been billed as the Harrods of the North, but personally I think our success is probably just that we keep it real," said Miss Oakey.

"Some farm shops can be perceived as being expensive or not somewhere everyone can shop, but we have tried to keep to a realistic price for quality produce that people will keep coming back for."

The outlet will now go forward to the national final of the Rural Retailer contest at the House of Lords in February.

"I'm a bit nervous about it," said Miss Oakey.

"We are not expecting anything, we are just pleased to have got this far, but we will go there and can hold our heads up high."

Countryside Alliance Regional Director and leader of the local judging panel Richard Dodd praised the quality of the Country Barn.

"One nomination describes the Country Barn as having 'put Widdrington Village on the map — walking into this shop takes your breath away'," he said.

"The commitment to quality local produce, coupled with the determination to give the community something it had been lacking makes the Country Barn a worthy winner in this category.

"It is clearly a hit with its loyal customers."