FOUR companies from Hereford-shire and Worcestershire are in the finals of the Waitrose Small Producers Awards.

Tipsy Fruit Gins of Tenbury Wells and Clive's Fruit Farm of Upton-Upon-Severn, Worcester-shire, are drawing closer to finding out if they are to be crowned champions with their Damson Gin Liqueur and their Conference Pear Juice respectively.

Across the border, the September Organic Dairy of Weobley and Dunkerton's Cider Company of Pembridge have both beaten off tough competition from 155 other entries across Britain with their Brown Bread Ice Cream and their cider.

The winners of each category of the awards and supreme champion will be announced at the Royal Show in Warwickshire on Tuesday, July 5. Presentations will be made by Sir Stuart Hampson, the chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.