INNOVATIVE Denbighshire businesses are set to battle it out against rural entrepreneurs and enterprises from across Wales.

Ran in partnership with retail giant Amazon, the fifth annual Rural Business Awards has singled out Baa Stool, Swayne Johnson Solicitors, I Care Clothing, The Wild Bushcraft Company and Adventure Tours UK for the Wales regional competition.

Competing across 12 categories, Adventure Tours UK from Llanarmon-yn-Ial leads the pack, shortlisted in three categories – including Best Rural Start-Up, Best Rural Tourism Business and Best Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits Business – followed by upholstery business Baa Stool competing in in the Best Rural Retail Business and Best Rural Professional Services Business categories.

Michelle Bartleet-Greavey, from Baa Stool on Colomendy Industrial Estates, said: “In my opinion, rural businesses are among the most innovative in the UK and the Rural Business Awards shines a spotlight on that.

“To be shortlisted for an award is a real highlight for us and we’re excited to attend the Regional Final later in the year.”

Also, from Denbigh is Best Rural Professional Services Business nominee, Swayne Johnson Solicitors while Ruthin’s I Care Clothing and Corwen’s The Wild Bushcraft company have been shortlisted in the Best Rural Start Up Business category.

Also from Denbigh is Best Rural Professional Services Business nominee, Swayne Johnson Solicitors.

Completing the Denbighshire group of shortlisted businesses is I Care Clothing from Ruthin and the Wild Bushcraft Company from Corwen. I Care Clothing, is a Casual Country Clothing Brand that provides quality garments that are either sourced through a local business or produced in Wales.

The regional final will be held at Wrexham Glyndwr University on Friday, November 8, with the National Final taking place next February.

Doug Gurr, UK country manager of Amazon, said: “Amazon has proudly supported the Rural Business Awards since 2016 and each year, the quality of the entries gets better and better.

“I’d like to congratulate the businesses from Denbighshire and wish them and their regional peers the best of luck on the Awards night.”