A PORLOCK butchers is celebrating after being nominated for an award at the 'Rural Oscars'.

The finalists of the 2015 Countryside Alliance Awards have been announced, with rural businesses across England in contention for national honours.

Porlock's Clive Downs is one the ten butchery businesses to have been selected for the finals and will be off to London in April when the winners will be announced at a reception to be held at the Houses of Parliament.

Clive, who has been a butcher in Porlock for 25 years, said: "I am delighted that we have been selected and thank those who nominated us for the award.

"To be be considered as one of the top ten butchers in England is certainly an honour and hopefully we will do Porlock proud."

Clive champions using locally sourced meats whenever possible and regularly purchases from the West Somerset College farm unit.

Countryside Alliance Awards director Jill Grieve commented: “These finalists are all exceptional – we have been overwhelmed by nominations this year so for them to get this far is a huge achievement. The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services. They exist to sing the praises of those who work hard to keep our communities and rural economy ticking, but don’t seek the spotlight."