A WEST Devon farming couple are celebrating, after being named as regional finalists in a national award scheme.

Pizwell Farm at Postbridge will go head-to-head against two other businesses in the finals of the Countryside Alliance Awards, dubbed the 'Rural Oscars', when they are held at the House of Lords on February 3.

Sue and Frank Martin produce naturally reared, grass-fed beef and lamb on their Dartmoor farm and retail their meat independently.

They were nominated for the local food category in the awards by one of their customers.

Sue said: 'We just had this phone call to say we would be heading up to London for the finals — they couldn't have picked a better day that week as it's the only one when my husband isn't in the Postbridge panto!

'It's really good news for us — I don't know how we've done it, as we aren't a very big enterprise.'

Sue and Frank are part of the Meat Dartmoor group and sell their beef and lamb direct to customers.

They are keen supporters of local markets, such as the Walkhampton Saturday market and also hold open days at the farm.

'We've had all sorts of groups up here to visit — we've also got some very old buildings that date all the way back to the Domesday Book, which people find very interesting,' said Sue.

'We specialise in grass-reared stock, they're not stuck indoors, and they age up to 30 months — they grow at the speed nature intended.'

The other regional finalists in the local food awards are Providence Farm at Holsworthy and Humfreys Farm Shop at Tregony, near Truro.

Simon Hart, Countryside Alliance chief executive, said: 'Our regional finalists represent the colour and diversity of rural enterprise and the Countryside Alliance is very proud to salute our finalists and offer them well deserved praise.'