SUCCESSFUL enterprises created on farms in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are encouraged to enter the 2018 installment of the prestigious Duke of Cornwall’s Award, which was won last year by Week St Mary-based James Chapman.

Previous winners have included a thatcher, bakery, sewing enterprise, farm-based education service, cheese producer and an event venue.

Last year’s recipient, James, established Chapman Engineering, a farm and equine ATV attachment manufacturing business, on the family farm at Week St Mary.

The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association (RCAA), who organise the annual competition, which was first held in 2007, is welcoming nominations online from the public to help highlight farm-based businesses to be considered for the top prize.

Chris Riddle, RCAA secretary, is hoping that the public will help unearth some hidden gems that have so far flown under the radar. He said: “This competition is all about celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship within our local agricultural sector. We’ve had such a wide range of diversification businesses win the Duke of Cornwall’s Award to date, all of whom are contributing to the overall viability of Cornish and Scilly-based farms.

“We know there must be many more potential winners that are out there that haven’t been brought to our attention yet, and we’d love people to put forward anyone they feel could be eligible to be considered.”

An online form has been set up to help with the process of accepting nominations from the public and this can be found by visiting www.royalcornwallshow.org/competitors/duke-of-cornwalls-award.

The £1,000 cash prize presented to next year’s Duke of Cornwall’s Award winner is provided by the RCAA’s patron, the Prince of Wales, along with a personally signed certificate.

The winner will be presented with the award at next year’s Royal Cornwall Show, which takes place on June 7, 8 and 9. Entries for the competition close on March 1, 2018.