A Kent business has won a top prize in what has been dubbed 'the rural Oscars'.

Quex Barn, in Birchington, scooped the local food and drink title at the 2017 Countryside Alliance Awards, presented this week at Westminster.

The awards were handed out by environment secretary Michael Gove.

The awards saw regional winners go head-to-head to be crowned national champion in categories which included top village shop, butcher, rural enterprise and pub.

Designed by the Countryside Alliance to be an annual celebration of rural produce, skills, enterprise and heritage, they are now in their 13th year, receiving more than 11,000 nominations for this year's event.

Ian Mather from Quex Barn said: “We were amazed to win our regional category but to be national champions is incredible. We are over the moon. We have been open for 11 years now and at times it’s been a struggle but we are delighted to take this award back to the Isle of Thanet.”

Countryside Alliance Awards director Sarah Lee said: “Our champion is a business that has succeeded against the odds when faced with the double crisis of BSE and FMD (foot and mouth disease) that hit the farming industry.

"What makes its achievements all the more special, is that there was nothing like Quex Barn in the area when they first opened, and a lot of people doubted it would work but their passion and commitment to local produce shone through and enthused their customers.

"Their agricultural heritage deserves to be commended and their support for local groups has made them an integral part of the community.”