THE Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has launched the 10th annual Countryside Awards with an invitation to “take part”.

Run in association with The Southern Co-operative, this year’s Countryside Awards coincide with the 50th anniversary of CPRE Hampshire and they will celebrate all that the charity stands for – “a beautiful, diverse and living countryside that everyone can value and enjoy”.

The individual Award categories are Community and Voluntary, Young People, Rural Enterprise, and Sustainable Buildings.

Gemma Lacey, director of Sustainability and Communications for The Southern Co-operative, said: “The CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards are a fantastic showcase of the individuals and organisations who strive to make Hampshire a beautiful place to live and work.

“The Southern Co-operative, whose roots lie in Hampshire, has always been extremely passionate about championing the south’s wonderful countryside and working in partnership with our local communities to protect and sustain our natural environments.

“We are proud to support the Countryside Awards which over the last 10 years have brought to light some fantastic rural projects and initiatives. I would like to encourage all volunteers, young people, community groups, businesses and organisations from across Hampshire to enter the CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards and get the recognition they deserve for their contribution to Hampshire. I will look forward to your entries.”

Previous winners have included Anstey Junior School in Alton and Upham Brewery.

Jenny Jones, headteacher of Anstey Junior School, said: “Receiving the Young People award in 2014 for our community growing project was a great experience.

“The award led to us expanding the project, which has enabled the children to learn how to grow vegetables, how to weed, how to water and how to harvest vegetables.

“They love tasting the vegetables straight off the plants and enjoy the reaction of the elderly residents they take the vegetables to.”

Faye Pain, of Upham Brewery, said: “Having scooped the Rural Enterprise award in 2013, we have continued our expansion project and experienced substantial growth across the business. Production has increased 200 per cent and our portfolio of stockists, including pubs, supermarkets and hotels, has grown considerably from 200 to 450.

“Our own pub business has grown from three rural pubs in Hampshire to 11 pubs and inns across Hampshire and surrounding counties.”

Entry details for this year’s awards are available at cprehampshire.org.uk. Entries close on June 17 and the winners will be announced by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire at a ceremony in September.