BLACKMORE Vale Media supports local independent retailers and businesses by raising awareness of their products and services in many ways, particularly through our Local Flavours features and the Taste of Dorset and Taste of Somerset food and drink awards.

Another local business which supports small independent shops is Sturminster Newton-based Olives Et Al, which runs the Deli of the Year competition, now in its second year.

There was good news last week for the Pumpkin Delicatessen in Somerset, which won the BVM's 2011 Taste of Somerset Best Independent Food Shop award - owner Lisa Salter has heard that her business in Wedmore is the Deli of the Year south west runner up. As in the Taste awards, customers nominate their favourite shop for the award.

Giles Henschel of Olives Et Al created Deli of the Year to raise awareness of independent food shops and help them get feedback from their customers. The winner will be announced at the Great Taste Awards dinner, the Oscars of the fine food world, in London on 5th September.