A COUPLE behind Colchester’s Farmers’ Market has picked up an award for rural enterprise.

Justine and Alex Paul, who run Suffolk Market Events, took over the town’s monthly market in April.

Suffolk Market Events has won the best rural enterprise award for the East of England from The Countryside Alliance.

The duo will now go forward to the national finals, known as the rural Oscars, in London next month.

Justine said: “We are so proud to announce that Suffolk Market Events has won the Rural Enterprise Award for the East of England in the Countryside Alliance Awards - such a huge achievement for a small business.

“We are off to the national finals in London in June so keep your fingers crossed and thank you so much to every single person who nominated us. We are utterly delighted.”

The couple has run Suffolk Market Events since 2008 helping to revive farmers markets.

Justine added: “Our markets are more than just shopping, they are an experience where visitors can really get an insight into local products and sample a range of different foods that they may not have tried before.”

The next Colchester Farmers’ Market takes place on June 7 at Colchester Arts Centre.