A MIDSOMER NORTON fishing and firearm shop has been shortlisted for an award.

AM Hobbs is one of the West Country finalists nominated in the Countryside Alliance Awards.

The awards celebrate the characters, skills, traditions and enterprise of the countryside through the people who work in it.

Countryside Alliance South West regional director Alison Hawes said: "It manages to provide a surprisingly personal service for this day and age, by mail, email, and in person as the situation requires.

"The friendly and knowledgeable manager is a trusted and well-liked West Country personality.

"Whether it be rifles, shotguns, game fishing, sea fishing, coarse fishing or even spear fishing, he will go the extra mile to help.

"Its commendable no-quibble guarantee offers a level of assurance rarely seen outside the USA."

Shop manager Paul Rogers, or Podge as he is known, said: "It is an honour to have been nominated."

Regional winners will be announced early in 2009 and overall winners revealed at a House of Lords reception on Wednesday, March 18.