POPULAR Cumbrian food business Hawkshead Relish is in the running for a top regional award.

Hawkshead Relish has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Rural Manufacturing Business category for the North in the Rural Business Awards.

The awards celebrate the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy.

For the first time since launching in 2014, the awards will host a series of regional finals in the North, East, Midlands, South East, South West, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Hawkshead Relish is an artisan producer of award winning preserves based in the historic village of Hawkshead.

The Cumbrian company is up against some top competition, including Breckenholme from North Yorkshire, Fin Hunter UK from Roxburghshire, Harrison Spinks from West Yorkshire and Skyeskyns from the Isle of Skye.

The winner will be announced at The Last Drop Village, Bolton, on October 9.

The regional rounds take place ahead of the grand final in February, where the winners from each category in every region will be announced.

Maria Whitehead, MBE, co-owner of Hawkshead Relish, said: “We’ve had a fabulous year so far, being presented with further accolades for our innovative products; including our latest creation, Black Garlic Pickle. Being shortlisted for an award like this marks the efforts of the entire team.

“We hope that we can do the team proud and win through for them and for Cumbria in this year’s Best Rural Manufacturing Business category for the North.

“Then if we are lucky enough to get through to the national finals we can see about bringing home one of the national plaudits too – so wish us luck and let’s get everything crossed for October 9 and then for February 2019.’’