A RYEDALE deli has been shortlisted in a national food and travel awards.

Hunters of Helmsley has been shortlisted in the Specialist Retailer of the Year category of the reader nominated 2015 Food & Travel Magazine Awards.

The deli is one of seven retailers to make the final shortlist and the only one in Yorkshire.

Hunters, which is based in Helmsley’s Market Place, this year celebrates its 25th anniversary and current owners, husband and wife team Chris and Christine Garnett, have run the deli since 2008.

Christine said: “It’s always such an honour to be nominated for awards. It means a lot, especially when we have been put forward by members of the public, and we’d like to say a huge thank you to anyone who nominated us.

"We try to make sure everyone’s visit to Hunters is special, so it’s great to think you might have inspired someone to go to the effort of submitting you for such an accolade. We hope we can do Yorkshire proud.”

Voting is now open until September 1, with the overall winner being announced later that month.

Anyone wishing to vote can do so at foodandtravel.com/awards