Tully's on High Street, Rothbury, has been nominated for the Country Alliance Rural Retailer of the year award for its traditional fine foods and village store.

It is the first time the store has been entered in to the competition, which was last won by David Carr for his shop in Longframlington.

The store was a third generation business founded by Jane Tully before the First World War.

Rich and Sue Hurst took over the store in 1998 and it is now the only surviving independent general food store in Rothbury.

Tully's sells everything a customer could need and prides itself on providing local produce to its community.

Rich and Sue have worked hard to make Tully's survive providing a local shopping experience for their customers.

As well as the main store Tully's also has a delicatessen which stocks fresh meat, cheeses and other fresh produce.

Rich and Sue try to get local produce where possible but also have selection of produce from around the world.

Rich said: "We tend to try and be as traditional as we can with what we sell and that means being involved in the local community.

"We do as much local produce as possible, if it is local we try and sell it no matter what it is.

"We are lucky enough to be far enough away from the big supermarkets as well."

Tully's has around 200 customers a day, and like to be as ethical as they can by selling fair trade produce. and by trying to meet all dietary requirements with their stock.

Rich and Sue got to the final four in their category of a similar competition with Radio 4 last year and and will be entering again this year.

The winners of the North East regional Rural Retailer of the year award will be announced just before Christmas with the winners going through to the UK finals to be announced in the House of Lords in February.