A RURAL business could cap a memorable first year’s trading by claiming a clutch of awards.

Cross Lanes Organic Farm, near Barnard Castle, has already bagged a star in the Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards and received recognition in the Soil Association’s Organic Food Awards.

Today, owner Peter Coverdale will attend the Durham County Council Environment Awards, where the business is nominated in four categories – built environment, climate change, craftsmanship and greener business.

Next month, at the BBC’s Good Food Live show in Birmingham’s NEC, Cross Lanes is in the running for a food and farm award after being nominated by a satisfied customer.

Finally, the business has been named as a finalist in the farm retail awards organised by the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association, with nominations in two categories – best farm retail newcomer and environmental farm retailer of the year.

Mr Coverdale said the business, which includes a farm shop and cafe, will celebrate its first anniversary on October 27.

He said: “We had planned it for a few years and finally got it going. Work started in February last year.

“There was formerly an intensive pig and poultry unit which was completely flattened.

“It was flat out while the building work was going on, as we managed it, and then it was straight into everything to do with running a business.”

Farm shop manager Deborah Hare said the team was surprised and thrilled that a customer had nominated them in the food and farm awards as best local food retailer.

A team of judges will now visit Cross Lanes prior to the announcement of the winner in Birmingham.