A UNIQUE awards initiative specifically designed to recognise the achievements of individuals and communities in countryside areas like Wharfedale has been launched.

Leading rural member organisation National Farmers Union Coun-tryside is inaugurating what will become the annual Countryside Awards as a way of putting the countryside into a positive framework after a very difficult period for rural areas.

The aim of the awards is to give ruralk areas a much-needed pick-me-up following the foot and mouth crisis which has wreaked so much havoc in the past year.

The awards, which will be presented at a gala lunch in mid-summer, will be judged by a panel of well-known individuals with links to rural life, including Country File presenter John Craven, wild foods chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and former Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom.

There are ten awards categories, including Countryperson of the year, Countryside Small Business of the Year, Village School of the year and the substantial prizes on offer will relate to each category winner's individual needs.

NFU Countryside chief executive Ian Dalzell said: "There are countless countryside people who work tirelessly and quietly for the benefit of their local communities, whether as individuals or as part of groups.

"Our awards are designed to put these individuals and groups into the spotlight and to recognise the well-being of these communities and to the traditional countryside way of life."

He said that anyone can enter the awards, regardless of whether or not they are NFU countryside members.

"People can nominate anybody," said Mr Dalzell.

"It can be anyone who they feel should be recognised for the contribution they make to the rural way of life, no matter what role they play within the rural landscape, and we are sure that we will be inundated with nominations for people who form the backbone of rural British life."

All nominations close for good on April 15.

Anybody wanting more information or to make a nomination for any of the awards categories, call 0870 840 2030 or visit the NFU Countryside website at www.nfucountryside.org.uk.