THE Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has launched the 10th annual Countryside Awards with an invitation to ‘take part’.

This year’s Countryside Awards coincide with CPRE Hampshire’s 50th anniversary and they will celebrate all the charity stands for – “a beautiful, diverse and living countryside everyone can value and enjoy”.

The individual award categories, run in association with the Southern Co-operative, are Community and Voluntary, Young People, Rural Enterprise, and Sustainable Buildings.

Southern Co-operative director Gemma Lacey said: “The CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards are a fantastic showcase of the individuals and organisations who strive to make Hampshire a beautiful place to live and work.

“The Southern Co-operative, whose roots lie in Hampshire, has always been extremely passionate about championing the south’s wonderful countryside and working in partnership with our local communities to protect and sustain our natural environments.

“We are proud to support the Countryside Awards which over the last 10 years have brought to light some fantastic rural projects and initiatives. I would like to encourage all volunteers, young people, community groups, businesses and organisations from across Hampshire to enter the CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards and get the recognition they deserve for their contribution to Hampshire. I will look forward to your entries.”

Previous winners have included Upham Brewery, whose Faye Pain said: “Having scooped the Rural Enterprise award in 2013, we have continued our expansion project and experienced substantial growth across the business.

“Production has increased 200 per cent and our portfolio of stockists, including pubs, supermarkets and hotels, has grown considerably from 200 to 450.

“Our own pub business has grown from three rural pubs in Hampshire to 11 pubs and inns across Hampshire and surrounding counties.”

Entry details for this year’s awards are available at cprehampshire.org.uk.

Entries close on June 17 and the winners will be announced by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire at a ceremony in September.