A NEW awards scheme has been launched to recognise some of the county's best food and drink producers.

Local people and visitors alike are being asked to nominate their favourites for the Flavours of Hambleton awards - part of a drive to forge closer links between tourism operators and food producers.

A new eating out guide hit the shelves of local tourist centres at the beginning of this month giving details of child and disabled-friendly eating houses, non-smoking policies and the use of local produce. It features 40 pubs, restaurants and shops, together with a full list of all eating establishments in the district.

"Hambleton is renowned for its Yorkshire hospitality," said Councillor June Imeson, chairwoman of Hambleton District Council.

"Flavours of Hambleton has been produced to tempt both locals and visitors to try out a variety of eateries and shops in the district - all offering Yorkshire fare.

"The awards scheme will recognise the best of those. We have specialists working across the district and we want to show them off."

The scheme is being sponsored by local businesses, including The Northern Echo's sister paper, The Darlington and Stockton Times, and will present its first prizes in November.

At the launch of the awards scheme, chef Stuart Redman, of the Royal Oak Hotel, showed Coun Imeson one of the district's delights, locally-made Suggit's ice cream, which is sold at the hotel.

Entries can be made in the following categories: restaurant of the year; tearoom of the year; breakfast of the year; specialist retailer of the year; village shop of the year; and food producer of the year.

Nominations must be with the council by July 31 ready for judging and nomination forms can be found at www.hambleton.gov.uk

They can also be collected from any of Hambleton District Council's offices and tourist information points.