THE first dedicated business awards for rural communities across the UK have opened for entries.

The Rural Business Awards recognise rural business success across ten categories and range of sectors.

Opening for entries on Monday (9 February), the awards are supported by the Country Land and Business Association and sponsored by the Sturgess Motor Group.

Awards co-founder Jemma Clifford said: "The Rural Business Awards will acknowledge the vital contribution rural companies make, encourage the countryside's superb entrepreneurial spirit and recognise business excellence within the rural sector.

"We are celebrating ten categories from start-ups to renewable energy and farm diversification to agricultural innovation."

Ms Clifford said the awards were a chance for firms from every hamlet, village and rural location to showcase their excellence to the world.

"The impact that the rural economy has on our national economy is so often under-valued and I am looking forward to being able to share success story after success story."

The awards will be judged by an independent panel of judges, including CLA director general Helen Woolley.

She said: "It is vitally important we recognise the innovation and excellence that I see present every day in businesses across the countryside.

"These awards will showcase some of the inspirational businesses that we can all learn from."

The 10 Rural Business Award categories are:

1. Best New Rural Start-up
2. People's Choice Award
3. Best Renewable Energy Project
4. Outstanding Farm Diversification Project
5. Best Rural Apparel Product or Brand
6. Outstanding Agricultural Innovation
7. Outstanding Manufacturing Business
8. Best Rural Professional Services Business
9. Best Rural Construction Project
10. Best Rural Field Sport, Equestrian or Rural Recreational Business

More information about the judges, award criteria and the awards ceremony in June is at www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk.

Businesses can enter the Rural Business Awards from Monday, 9 February 2015. The closing date for entries is Friday, 24 April 2015.