A PAIR of rural businesses in mid Essex are through to the regional finals of a set of prestigious awards.

Daymens Hill Farm, in Tolleshunt Major, and Stantons Farm Alpacas, in Black Notley, are both through to the East regional finals of the Countryside Alliance awards - dubbed the "Rural Oscars".

Daymens Hill is a traditional English orchard with a wide variety of apples and pears, while Stantons breeds alpacas.

Their entries in the ‘Rural Enterprise’ category came about following visits to the businesses by Witham MP Priti Patel.

Ms Patel subsequently nominated them for the award scheme, and they have both been successful. 

Braintree and Witham Times: Priti Patel helps bring in the harvest at Daymens Hill Farm in Tolleshunt Major Priti Patel helps bring in the harvest at Daymens Hill Farm in Tolleshunt Major (Image: N/A)

The awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food and farming, enterprise and heritage through small hard-working businesses.

Ms Patel said: “These are very prestigious awards, and I am delighted that two rural businesses in my constituency and nominated by me have been successful in reaching the East Regional Finals.

“The public will have the ultimate say about who wins and this is an opportunity to show their appreciation for two local businesses who have worked so hard to brighten our lives with recreational activities and good, natural produce to eat.

“The Rural Oscars received thousands of nominations this year, so Daymens Hill Farm and Stantons Farm Alpacas have done extremely well to reach the regional final and I will be following their progress with pride. 

“My congratulations to them both.”