A SOMERSET company has been named one of the best rural businesses in the country.

Musgrove Willows, in Westonzoyland, was crowned Best Rural Diversification Project at the South West regional finals of the Rural Business Awards in partnership with Amazon.

The family-run business will now represent the South West at the national final of the Rural Business Awards in February 2022.

Musgrove Willows, founded in 1928, makes 60 different sustainable and environmentally friendly products such as lanterns, wicker baskets and artist’s charcoal.

Ellen Musgrove, from Musgrove Willows, said: “On behalf of everyone at Musgrove Willows, I’d like to say thank you to Amazon and the Rural Business Awards for recognising our work. It’s a great boost for our business and now we’re looking forward to the national finals next year.”

The awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories - ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Best Rural Diversification Project through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project.

Winners are decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.

Rural Business Awards co-founder, Jemma Clifford, added: “We are very proud to be hosting the seventh annual Rural Business Awards in partnership with Amazon.

"On behalf of the Rural Business Awards team, I would like to say congratulations to Musgrove Willows for this well-deserved win and wish them all the best ahead of the national final.”

The awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford.

“I’d like to congratulate all the businesses nominated and wish Musgrove Willows the best of luck ahead of the national final in February,” said John Boumphrey, UK country manager of Amazon.

This is the seventh year of the awards, which celebrate rural businesses and develop a network for rural business owners.

To find out more, visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk.