THE Three Counties Farming Awards have been officially launched.

The awards aim to celebrate the achievements of the industry in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Categories include sheep, cattle, pig, poultry, fruit/hop and arable farmer of the year, as well as young farmer, farming contractor and farming hero.

Awards will also be presented for the best family-run farm and best farm exhibiting sustainability and diversification.

They are being organised by Newsquest Media, publisher of the Three Counties Farmer, and its sister newspapers and websites the Worcester News, Hereford Times, Malvern Gazette, Ledbury Reporter, Evesham and Cotswold Journal, Tenbury Wells Advertiser, Kidderminster Shuttle, Redditch Advertiser, Bromsgrove Advertiser, Droitwich Advertiser, Stroud News and Journal, Gloucestershire Gazette and Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard.

They are supported by headline sponsor Harper Adams University, as well as the Countryside Restoration Trust and Western Power Distribution.

The award winners will be named at a gala dinner at the Three Counties Showground on Thursday, June 13, the eve of the Royal Three Counties Show. Money raised there will go to farming charity the Addington Fund, which helps find homes for farming families who have had to leave the industry.

BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, has already spoken in praise of the awards.

At the Three Counties Farming Conference in November, he said: "It's a brilliant initiative to celebrate farmers' success in the Three Counties."

Simon Pride, director of marketing and communications at Harper Adams University, said: "With the farming industry coming to terms with the new Agriculture Bill, and Brexit just around the corner, there has never been a more opportune moment to publicly recognise excellence within UK agriculture.

"The sector needs to share these stories – with both the public and our politicians. Harper Adams is delighted to support this important new initiative within the Three Counties.”

Speaking at the launch at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, awards organiser Sue Griffiths said: "It is wonderful to launch the awards with our backers here alongside us. It is clear that they are excited about the opportunities at hand to shine a light on the tremendous achievements of the farming industry in our part of the world."

Visit www.herefordtimes.com/awards/tcf/ to find out more and submit a nomination for the awards.