THE team at the Blackberry Farm Shop in Milton Damerel, has made it to the regional finals of one of the countryside’s most prestigious awards.

Lizzy and Mike Kirby and their team have ‘done Devon proud’ and made it through to the final stages of ‘The Countryside Alliance Rural Oscars’.

Lizzy’s Larder was first opened in 2002, following the foot and mouth crisis, which badly affected many parts of Devon.

At the time it was the only way Lizzy and Mike could see to overcome the financial crisis that was affecting them and many others during the outbreak.

Their tenacity and commitment to farming and the rural community meant they were able to overcome many hurdles in order to create and run a successful award winning business.

MP for Torridge and West Devon Geoffrey Cox even personally wrote to Lizzy and Mike to congratulate them and wish them the best of luck in the finals.

Blackberry Farm Shop celebrated its tenth birthday in October 2016 and has proved to be an important, multi-generation centre point for rural activities. These include a mobile library, free farm and history tours, a meeting place for local groups and friends and use of the facilities, which include free WiFi and excellent mobile phone coverage — a novelty in many rural areas.

Lizzy said she was ‘humbled by the great comments and best wishes’ she and Mike have received since they learned of their successful nomination.

Judging has commenced and the regional winners will go forward to the national finals, to be held at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster in March.