A family butcher's reputation is spreading beyond the village it has served for the past 46 years.

Crinnion's, in Front Street, Lanchester, County Durham, has made its name through its range of quality meat products, sourced from farms across the North-East.

And it has been nominated in the Countryside Alliance's Best Rural Retailers competition.

Paul Crinnion, the son of the late founders, Herby and Teresa Crinnion, has been involved in the business since 1982.

Mr Crinnion said the short-listing for the regional round came as a welcome surprise.

"A lot of our customers go to supermarkets for their other shopping and come to us for their meat.

"There's no big secret, it's just based on quality, service and getting to know your customers."

When regulations forced the family to close its in-house abattoir, it converted it into a mini meat products factory.

It serves the butchers, and the nearby Crinnion's Delicatessen.

Newcastle rural outfitter and supplier Bagnall and Kirkwoods, and David Carr's Corner Shop, of Longframlington, in Northumberland, are also competing for the North-East title.

The winner will go forward to the national final in January.