THREE firms from Hampshire have come away with honours at the South-East regional heats of the UK-wide Rural Business Awards.

The Little Grey Sheep, of Hook, won Outstanding Rural Diversification Project, while Wallops Wood Cottages, of Droxford, won Best Rural Tourism Business.

Burley Villa School of Riding, of New Milton, meanwhile, came runner-up for Best Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits Business.

Following their impressive win at the regional awards, The Little Grey Sheep and Wallops Wood Cottages will now go on to represent the region at the national final in February.

The Little Grey Sheep produces high quality, hand dyed, British knitting yarns from their own fine wool flocks, reared on the small family farm.

The flock are sheared at Christmas for the finest quality fibre, then housed until the warmer weather comes. The flock is sheared by Susie, their shepherdess, washed in Yorkshire and spun at two small family mills, one in Yorkshire the other in Devon, finally heading back to the farm to be hand dyed by Emma before being shipped throughout the UK and the rest of the world.

Wallops Wood Cottages offer eight VisitEngland 4* Gold rated pet friendly self-catering holiday cottages.

Converted from former agricultural buildings, each cottage sleeps four to eight.

They have just completed a new indoor heated pool with jacuzzi and hoist; a sauna, steam room and games room will follow later this year. Cottages can be booked individually or as a group.

Burley Villa offer Western and English horse riding across the New Forest for all abilities.

“Rural communities are home to some of the country’s most inventive and innovative entrepreneurs and we want to celebrate their achievements and contribution through the Rural Business Awards,” said Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “I’d like to congratulate all the nominees and runners-up at this year’s regional awards and wish the winners the best of luck ahead of the national final of the Rural Business Awards in February.”