A COMPUTER firm helping farmers run their businesses effectively has been named Britain’s very best rural enterprise at the 2016 Rural Business Awards.

Landmark Systems Ltd - based at Station Road, Pulborough - won Best Rural Professional Services Business and was then crowned overall Champion of Champions.

The company offers computerised solutions for businesses with a client base spread all over Britain.

MD Nigel Parsons said: "The reason we entered the awards was because we are a company operating nationally specifically in the rural sector. This award means a huge amount to us. Our business is a people business and a business in a remote rural industry."

Two other Sussex companies also enjoyed success at the awards, held in Birmingham.

The Naked Food Company at Duncton near Petworth won Rural Entrepreneur of the Year.

It is owned by Carole Lindsay, who has more than 15 years experience in catering and event management including working in Michelin-starred restaurants, and the company provides catering for special events, from weddings to dinner with friends, with all ingredients coming from within a 15 mile radius.

She said: "I’m shocked, very surprised, and ecstatic! My first year has been so fantastic – when you start off a business you have a three year plan, I superseded that in the first three months.

"The involvement of the Rural Business Awards and the CLA - the membership organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales - will mean a lot for my business.

"Having this award will make such a big difference, especially to the market I’m trying to reach."

One the Square Ltd, of Ashdown Forest, was highly commended in Best Social Enterprise or Community Project of the Year

Located in the heart of Forest Row, it is a new creative and community space for artisans, makers and crafts people.

Inhabiting what was once the butcher’s shop and then, later, a well-loved toyshop, the space is now a showcase setting for regional artisans, a workshop, café and shop.

Magda Devaris, from One The Square said: "It’s amazing, so humbling and so lovely to be rewarded for the last two and a half years of serious grafting and creating a lovely space for the community. We started with some 12 artisans and now we have over 50."