A Betchworth shop is in the running for a coveted regional title in this year's Countryside Alliance Awards.

The Shop at Strood Green is one of the three finalists in the regional awards' Village Shop/Post Office category.

The Countryside Alliance Awards, now in their sixth year, celebrate the characters, skills, traditions and enterprise of the countryside through the people who work to make it tick.

Each finalist has to receive numerous nominations from customers and supporters before they reach the South East finals.

This year, 12 local businesses are vying for one of the four regional titles and the chance of national acclaim.

The awards' other categories are for local food, rural enterprise and butchers.

Countryside Alliance South East regional director Michelle Nudds said: "Judging these awards is always a pleasure because of the down-to-earth, hard-working characters I meet.

“The rural economy continues to go through tough times, but these small businesses have the passion and commitment to keep going no matter what, and their communities appreciate them because of it.

“We have had many heart-felt nominations for these businesses, and I look forward to judging them for a Countryside Alliance Award."

Regional judging will now take place with the winners announced in January.

They will then go forward to the 12-region UK final, with the national winners to be announced in the Houses of Parliament in March.