TWO family-run businesses have been shortlisted in a national awards scheme.

Yorvale, the ice cream makers of Acaster Malbis, near York, and Wold Top Brewery of Hunmanby, near Driffield, are both in the finals of the Red Ribbon Awards.

Hosted by Family Business Place, they are the UK’s only national awards that recognise the achievements of family- run businesses of all sizes and types.

Lesley and Ian Buxton founded their award-winning Yorvale ice cream business on their dairy farm 25 years ago.

She said: “This is the first time we have entered the Red Ribbon awards. We are very proud to have reached the final and to put the Vale of York on the family business map.”

They are shortlisted in the small business category, which recognises those that have demonstrated outstanding performance in a number of aspects including commercial success, local community, innovation and strong leadership.

Mrs Buxton said: “The Red Ribbon awards are great for smaller businesses like ours as they enable us to compete against much bigger brands.

At the end of the day, we’re all family-run businesses and face similar challenges, albeit on a different scale.”

Wold Top Brewery is shortlisted in the corporate social responsibility section, due to its green credentials, and Alex Balchin, son of owners Tom and Gill Balchin, has been shortlisted for the Young Gun award that recognises a talented next generation member.

Kate Balchin, a fourth-generation family member and Alex’s wife, said: “It was great to win the Red Ribbon award for innovation last year. To be shortlisted again is something that we’re all very proud of.”

The farm-based micro-brewery employs 15 and is also in the final of the chairman of East Yorkshire’s business award for businesses with under 50 employees.

The brewery is part of a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) environmental initiative and also works closely with the RSPB to promote its birdlife.

It brews traditional real ale from home and Wolds grown malting barley, the finest hops and chalk-filtered water from the farm’s own borehole. Its range of award-winning ales is also available through the website, independent, familyowned retailers, farm shops, delis, hotels, pubs and off licences throughout Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Anita Brightley-Hodges, managing director of Family Business Place, said the awards had attracted a record breaking number of entries.

She said: “We have been overwhelmed by the quality and variety of the nominations which goes to prove there are some hidden gems who deserve to be recognised.

“It’s no secret that family-run businesses are the backbone of the UK economy. In times of uncertainty they are the last ones to make redundancies, keep a long-term view for the business and stay true to their founding values of integrity, trust and loyalty.”

This year’s winners will be announced at a ceremony at Goldsmith’s Hall, London, on June 20.