The North Northumberland Food Awards aim to encourage the wider availability and better promotion of locally-sourced produce for both local people and visitors to the area.

As part of the Taste-T project the scheme intends to highlight and reward businesses offering a high proportion of local produce to the public. Hospitality, catering and retail businesses serving or selling food in the Alnwick and Berwick districts are all being invited to take part.

Project co-ordinator Derek Sharman said: "Tasting local food and drink is an important element of the mix that makes an area a distinctive place to live in or to visit.

"For many visitors, the offer of local produce can often influence their choice of where to eat or stay. As well as strengthening local identity, using and promoting local produce helps support the rural economy, reduces 'food miles' and re-connects consumers with the countryside and with the producers of their food."

There are six categories in the North Northumberland Food Awards covering businesses of all sizes from hotels and restaurants to bed and breakfasts and from pubs and cafés to farm shops and family butchers.

Outstanding businesses in each category will be selected by panels of independent judges. There will be one panel for businesses located in Alnwick district and another for the borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The winners chosen from the short-lists will be presented with gold and silver awards in September at the Alnwick Food Festival and the Berwick Food Fair organised by Alnwick Lions and the Berwick Slow Food Group respectively.

Businesses wishing to take part in the initiative can obtain further information and application forms from the project co-ordinator Derek Sharman. Tel: 01289 330218, email: timetoexplore@btinternet.com

The closing date for applications is March 31.