BUSINESSES from across the region took to the stage in a national awards evening celebrating rural enterprise.

The 2017 Rural Business Awards saw six Yorkshire companies pick up prizes in what is the only UK-wide programme dedicated to showcasing the success of rural businesses.

A double award winner on the night was T Soanes & Son Poultry from Driffield, which was named winners in the Rural Employer of the Year and Best Rural Food & Drink Business categories.

Wold Top Brewery from Hunmanby, a past Press Business of the Year winner, took the title in the Outstanding Rural Diversification Project category. In the same category, Mini Explorers Nursery from Northallerton claimed the runner up prize.

Humble Bee Leisure from the Yorkshire Wolds was highly commended in the Best Rural Tourism Business category.

York-based network of flower growers Flowers from the Farm was highly commended in the Best Rural Diversification Project category.

Flowers from the Farm is a nationwide network of cut flower growers. Its members range from the Scillies to Inverness. The not-for-profit was founded in 2011 and judges said it was a “fantastic and unique business” which was helping others diversify.

Gill Hodgson, from Flowers From The Farm Ltd, said: “Flowers From The Farm is built around a love for the countryside, what it can produce and support for fellow rural businesses.

“To be recognised for our work is a huge inspiration for us and I hope the award will encourage more people to get involved in the RBAs next year.”

This year’s awards saw nearly three times as many entries as in 2016, with businesses from 52 counties in the UK sending in their applications. They were split into 13 categories with five finalists in each, of which one winner, one runner-up and three highly commended prizes were awarded, plus an overall champion of champions.

The awards ceremony was held at Denbies Wine Estates in Surrey. Entries open for 2018’s awards in November. Visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk