THE shortlist for the 10th Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards has been announced, with businesses in mid Cheshire in the running for the top gongs.

More than 50 individuals, initiatives and businesses across 14 categories will compete for top honours at an awards ceremony to be held at Chester Racecourse on November 27.

The awards celebrate excellence and outstanding achievement by local businesses and individuals with the winners of some categories going on to represent Cheshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2015.

Among the nominees from across the mid Cheshire area are; Nunsmere Hall Hotel in the running for the small hotel award, Go Ape Delamere in the small visitor attraction category, Davenports Tea Room, Fox & Barrel and The Hollies Farm Shop will battle for the Taste Cheshire award, and The Fishpool Inn are hoping to clinch the tourism pub award.

Katrina Michel, chief executive at Marketing Cheshire, said: “We are delighted to announce the shortlist for this year’s annual awards. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate this year. The quantity and quality of nominations has been extremely high and any business who has been shortlisted can feel very proud."

"The awards ceremony will be a real celebration of the businesses that support the Visitor Economy in Cheshire, I wish all of the finalists the very best of luck and look forward to that fantastic night in November.”

This year the event’s headline sponsor will be Web Ticket Manager.

Peter Rosenfeld, co-founder and director, Web Ticket Manager added: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor and supporting this prestigious event. The Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards are a great way of recognising the hard work and dedication that Cheshire businesses and individuals put into making the Visitor Economy in the sub-region the success it is, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”