A POST office that was delivered from the brink of closure and shop that makes chocolate shoes have been shortlisted for an award.

Cromford Post Office was days away from shutting down in January after its owner put the building up for auction.

Villagers rallied around and raised more than £140,000 in "paper pledges" to buy it before an anonymous bidder came up with the £250,000 needed.

A full refurbishment followed and now the post office, which serves about 3,000 people, is one of three Derbyshire businesses nominated for an East Midlands Countryside Alliance Award.

Postmistress Carol Easton said this year had been an emotional journey.

"We thought it would have to close – you can't auction off a building and keep a Post Office going. But everyone grouped together and within a week, people had raised £140,000. It was amazing.

"Of course, with the refurbishments going on, there have been days where it has been like working on a construction site, with drills going and no hot water.

"But I could barely believe it when I got the letter saying we were nominated. I thought it was a prank."

She said the business had been nominated by a regular customer. "The woman said she had chosen my shop because I was so involved in the village and helped people out. I was very proud."

The business was nominated in the "post office or village shop" category of the awards, held to honour the best rural shops and services.

Two more Derbyshire businesses have been nominated.

One is I Should Cocoa, a chocolate boutique in Strutt Street, Belper. Owner John Swindel, 46, said: "I haven't a clue how we were nominated but it was a nice surprise. I think the main reason we stand out is that we produce our own chocolate in store.

"We use fresh ingredients and we also have a cafe on site where we pride ourselves on our good customer service."

The shop, which opened in April 2008, sells high-class chocolates, along with novelty gifts like chocolate shoes, goldfish bowls and gift boxes

Mr Swindel said: "We also have excellent hot chocolates in the cafe. We don't use powder, just milk and Belgian chocolate."

He faces stiff competition from another popular Derbyshire business – the Chatsworth estate, including its award-winning farm shop.

All three businesses will have to wait until January to find out if they have won. Regional winners will go forward to the UK final, the winners of which will be announced at the Houses of Parliament next March.