It’s time to enter top rural awardsThe 2013 Countryside Alliance Awards – an annual celebration of communities, produce, enterprise and rural heritage – are now open for entries.

The awards, now in their ninth year, are voted for by the public. They recognise and honour all that’s best about our enterprising country businesses and those who routinely go the extra mile for their community or help to promote rural life.

The awards start regionally and build towards a national championship which will be held at Parliament in April 2014.

The award categories are: Local Food, The Daily Telegraph Village Shop/Post Office Awards, Butcher and Start-Up Barney White-Spunner, executive chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said: “It’s time to celebrate all that is best about our rural businesses and projects.

“Nominations increase year on year, so we are expecting 2013 to be a bumper year. The awards are a fantastic platform for these fabulous and innovative enterprises and the communities that power them.”

Nominations can be made at until November 1. For the competition, Britain has been divided into 10 regions for the awards. Each region will declare a winner in January 2014.