Courier stockist, May Stocks, set up her business at Highgate Farm, Colden, more than 30 years ago and has never looked back.

Now she been named the best local food retailer in the Countryside Alliance third annual best rural retailers regional awards – a competition covering the whole of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

She will now represent the region in the organisation's national competition.

James Bates, Countryside Alliance spokesman, said: "May sells everything – from kindling to a huge range of good wine, from cocktail umbrellas to magazines, pies and cakes to local eggs.

"But what sets the Highgate Farm Shop apart is the personal attention given by May and her team.

"She not only delivers the newspapers and some post every day, she also calls in to all the elderly, sick and needy in this very remote area, providing a welcome social aspect to those who may not see anybody from week to week."

Highgate Farm, on Edge Lane, is a favourite stopping off place for walkers using the Pennine Way.

May will join other regional winners at the House of Lords on February 6 to hear who has won the national award.

In 2003, the shop won the best rural newsagents competition, organised by Country Living magazine.