LIFTON Farm Shop has been shortlisted for the Best on-farm Café/Restaurant Award 2013 from The National Farmers' Retail and Markets' Association (FARMA).

The business, which has previously won awards from FARMA for its farm shop and bakery, will be competing against five other farm retail outlets from across the UK for the restaurant title.

The winner will be announced at an awards dinner in February.

The café at Lifton offers traditional farmhouse food, including breakfasts, daily roasts, home-made pies and desserts.

The farm produces a large amount of its own produce which features strongly on the restaurant menu, including lamb, beef, pork, poultry, eggs, soft and tree fruit, and vegetables. These are also transformed into quiches, ice-cream, jams and juices.

The restaurant can accommodate up to 240 people, and is used to host theme nights as well as catering for private parties and weddings.

Jo Mounce, who owns and runs the business at Lifton with her family, said: 'The team at Lifton work extremely hard and are thrilled to be named as finalists.

'We pride ourselves on serving high quality, homegrown, home-made and local food with a smile, and in the past ten years since the farm shop opened, we've won over and ever-growing loyal customer base. It's really encouraging to be recognised at a national level for what we have achieved.'

Rita Exner, FARMA secretary, said: 'To reach the finals in these Awards is a fantastic achievement.

'The competition is very tough and the standards extremely high, particularly given that we received our highest ever number of entries this year.

'As a previous FARMA Award winner, reaching the finals this time around proves that Lifton shows no signs of resting on its laurels, and exemplifies excellence across its farm retail offering.'