FOURTEEN rural businesses competing in the final South West heat of the Countryside Alliance Awards will have to wait until the new year to find out their fate.

The regional finalists were due to find out whether they would go through to the grand final before Christmas but the decision has been delayed by the weather and Royal Mail strikes.

The awards, now in their fifth year, celebrate the skills, traditions and enterprise behind rural businesses.

Each finalist has received numerous nominations from customers and supporters and will be competing in one of four categories; Local Food; Village Shop/Post Office; Daily Telegraph Traditional Business and Rural Enterprise.

Countryside Alliance South West regional director Alison Hawes said: "With the postal strikes and poor weather, judging has taken longer than anticipated."

The final will take place in London on Wednesday, February 3, and all regional winners will find out who has taken the British crown in each category.

Among the finalists are Talaton Shop/ Post Office; the Strand Stores, Culmstock; Complete Meats, Axminster and Clyst St Mary's Dartmoor Kitchen.