A CHESHIRE farm shop is the running for a national award at the ‘rural Oscars’ after being named regional champions.

The Hollies Farm Shop in Little Budworth won the North West local food category at the Countryside Alliance Awards.

The business will now head to London on March 7 for the grand final to find out if it has scooped the national title.

Simon Hamlyn, Countryside Alliance regional director for the North of England, said: “The Hollies is extremely impressive – a farm shop that has diversified to now include a cafe, rustic accommodation in a sympathetic development of chalets and a butchery offer run by the renowned and highly experienced Andrew Vernon.

“Cheshire has a vast range of local produce which is showcased here, from the local pork, beef and lamb to cheeses, breads, fruit and veg.

“The Cowap family has transformed their farm into a significant and popular local business within the community with a strong emphasis on using local suppliers. Their passion for what they do is apparent through the shop and they are a really deserving winner.”

The awards are in their seventh year and celebrate the characters, skills, traditions and enterprise of the countryside. They are public-nomination led, meaning each business is put forward by a supportive customer.

HS Bourne, a cheesemonger from Malpas, was ‘highly commended’ by the Countryside Alliance in the local food category.