Farron backs 'Rural Oscars' and asks local businesses to nominate themselves

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on local businesses to nominate themselves for the 'Rural Oscars'.

The Rural Oscars were borne of a need to support and promote rural communities. They celebrate people going the extra mile to ensure that the rural Britain's food and farming industry, small businesses, traditional skills, forward-thinking enterprises and, most of all, its people, can flourish.

Previous award winning rural businesses from Cumbria are Storth Community Cooperative Ltd and Growing Well in Kendal.

The Awards run across the following eight categories:

1. Local food Award
2. Village shop/Post Office Award
3. Enterprise Award
4. The Daily Telegraph Traditional Business Award
5. Butcher Award
6. Hunter Rural Hero (16 and over)
7. Hunter Rural Hero (15 and under)
8. Grassroots Award for the Countryside Alliance member who has done most to advance rural campaigning in 2010.

Nominations are open online at www.countrysideallianceawards.co.uk between Monday 6th September and Friday 22nd October

Tim said: "These Awards are an excellent way to promote the local businessmen and women who are working hard to keep our economy going. I hope that many of our fantastic local businesses put themselves forward because I know we have so many potential winners locally!"