A RURAL buildings award scheme has been re-launched in the aftermath of foot-and-mouth.

The search is on for the best examples of new and converted rural buildings in the two counties in the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Farm and Country Buildings Awards.

It is one of the country's top architectural award schemes, but judging for 2001 was postponed because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Now the owners, builders and designers of the best examples of rural architecture are being invited to nominate the work for the prestigious awards, due to be presented in 2002.

The Farm and Country Buildings Awards are intended to reward excellent design and high standards of workmanship in both new buildings and conversions.

They are presented to the owners of buildings that meet exacting standards of design, siting and workmanship.

Winners are also judged competitively for two special regional awards made by co-sponsors CLA Marsh Insurance Services and Eternit Building Materials for the best conversions and best new buildings respectively.

The CLA President's Award is then given for the best rural building in the whole of England and Wales.

CLA regional director Frances Beatty said there had been an excellent response to the original 2001 entry.

"In spite of the disastrous impact of foot-and-mouth, there are still a lot of exciting development and conversion projects that have been carried out in the countryside," she said.

"This award scheme will provide high profile recognition of the quality and ingenuity employed in rural development projects and demonstrate that rural communities are fighting back with all the imagination and skill available to them."

Mrs Beatty said a new category had been introduced to the current scheme, which would highlight the need for affordable housing in rural communities.

"The new category reflects the CLA's desire to encourage people to plan effectively and sensitively to protect the countryside while addressing the current shortage of reasonably priced accommodation in rural areas," she said.

"Many landowners and rural businesses are involved in providing social housing and it is something the CLA applauds and encourages."

Entry forms and further information are available by telephoning the CLA on 01785 664945.