A RYEDALE pub has been named as a finalist in this year’s Countryside Alliance Awards.

The Blacksmith’s Arms in Lastingham has been shortlisted in the best pub category in the regional finals of the “rural Oscars”.

Landlord Peter Trafford said that they had been nominated last year too but hadn’t made the shortlist.

“We’re delighted,” he said. “This is quite a prestigious award and to be nominated last year and shortlisted this year - we’re more than grateful. “We’re excited and the staff are excited.” In the Yorkshire best pub category, the Blacksmith’s Arms will go up against the Boot and Slipper in Barmby Moor, the Clarendon Hotel in Skipton and the Goodmanham Arms in Goodmanham.

The next stage in the process will be a visit and an interview in the spring. Then follows the finals and an award ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in June.

Countryside Alliance Awards director Sarah Lee said: “We received a record breaking 17,000 nominations this year showing just how much the public values and supports our hard-working rural businesses.

“All of the finalists should be really proud to have gotten this far as it shows just how valued they are in their rural communities.

“The Countryside Alliance is honoured to offer a voice to rural business in this way and recognise all the hard work that is done.

“I look forward to getting out and visiting these fantastic businesses as judging gets under way.”

As well as best pub, other categories include best local food and drink, best village shop or post office, best butcher, and best rural enterprise.

Another local finalist is the glamping site Humble Bee Farm, in Flixton, which has been shortlisted in the rural enterprise category.

The awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses.

They are now in their 13th year and have become known as the definitive rural business award to win.

The high-profile judges include Defra secretary Michael Gove, Philip Johnston of the Daily Telegraph, Waitrose Food Editor William Sitwell, Emma Penny of the Farmers Guardian, Peter Gott of Sillfield Farm and others.