Farmer hope over top award

A south Shropshire farmer is waiting on the edge of her seat to find out if her farm shop has been named the Best Rural Retailer in the UK 2007.

Clair Gittens, of Heath Farm Meats, at Bagginswood, near Cleobury Mortimer, is through to the national finals of the competition. It will take place in London next month and Mrs Gittens is hoping for success.

She found out in December that her shop had made it into the finals of the competition, which is run by the Countryside Alliance.

Today she said: "I am delighted that we have got this far, but I wasn't expecting it at all."

Heath Farm Meats is currently named the best of the diversification category in the Midlands, beating 15 other retailers in the region.

The shop, which Mrs Gittens runs with her husband Clive, offers a range of fresh cuts of meat that have been reared on the site, including beef, pork and lamb.

Mrs Gittens said: "We offer a traditional service, where you can see exactly what you are buying."

The couple opened the shop after the BSE crisis, and haven't looked back since.

The competition involved a judge from the Countryside Alliance visiting the shop. Today Clare Rowson, a regional director for the Midlands and leader of the local judging panel, was very impressed with what she saw.

She said: "Clive and Clair have a passion and determination to fly the flag for local produce and their positive attitude shines through in everything they do. This popular couple deserve all the praise they get."

The competition was devised by the Countryside Alliance as a way of celebrating communities, skills and produce through the retailers who work so hard to keep rural life ticking.

The title will be awarded at the national finals in London on February 6.

By Andy Richardson