RURAL businesses that have been shortlisted in awards will find out in the middle of next month if they are through to the national finals.
The Countryside Alliance's Best Rural Retailer competition attracted 2,000 nominations, which have been whittled down to 16 finalists from each region.
In Yorkshire, the local retailer shortlist includes Mainsgill Farm Shop, East Layton, near Richmond, and the Farmers Cart, Towthorpe, near York.
The village store and post office section includes those in Skelton on Ure and Markington, both near Ripon.
The diversification category includes Langthornes Buffalo Produce, Brompton, near Northallerton, Carricks, Snape, near Bedale; The Good Life, of Upper Wensleydale Business Park, Hawes, and Brymor Ice Cream, near Masham.
The best traditional business includes Homeworks hardware store, Helmsley.
In the North-East, Wadesdeli, of Darlington, and Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, County Durham, are shortlisted for the local food retailer. Robinsons Butchers and Caterers, Wingate, east Durham, is up for the traditional business title.
Richard Dodd, the Countryside Alliance's North-East director, said: "Our shortlisted retailers ... are passionate about their community and routinely go the extra mile for them."
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