FIVE food heroes who champion local produce will be battling it out for a prestigious award this month.

Derbyshire County Council has announced its shortlist for the "local food hero" category of the Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards, which are held on Thursday, September 25.

This is the seventh year the county council has held the awards and the shortlists in the other categories were announced last month.

The awards, which are being held at Thornbridge Hall, Ashford-in-the-Water, celebrate top-quality food and drink and reward the county's finest producers and businesses.

The local food hero category is being offered for the second time and the shortlist is Nick Buckingham, of Buckingham's, Chesterfield; Sam Jackson, of Fresh Basil, Belper; Andre Birkett, of Chatsworth Farm Shop; Amanda Osborn, of Hearthstone Farm, Riber; and Scott Sneddon, of Scott's Garden, Riber.