Newlands Adventure Centre & Keswick Climbing Wall have made it to the final of a national business award.

The Rural Business Awards, supported by Amazon, is the only UK-wide programme dedicated to showcasing the success of rural businesses.

The final, which takes place on the 25 February, will be followed by a virtual awards ceremony.

"We're absolutely delighted,"said Director of Newlands Adventure Centre, Debbie Beament.

"It means a heck of a lot because you're being judged by your peers. We were more than surprised when we got shortlisted for the final this year. It just shows how much hard work and dedication that we have put in to the business over the course of this very difficult year.

The centre won the award for Best Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits Business last year, and Ms Beament said it would be the "cherry on the cake" if they could repeat the feat.

It has been a difficult time of year for outdoor pursuit centres across the country, and Ms Beament insisted it was no different at the centre in Keswick.

"It's been the same for all outdoor residential centres. We've not been able to accommodate our usual groups. We're still looking at a bleak year ahead because schools still aren't allowed to come and visit.

"We've still got Keswick climbing wall, so we can still offer non-residential activities to holiday makers and locals. We'll hit the ground running when we can open again and we're ready to go, but its just very difficult at the moment.

Three other businesses in Cumbria also made it to the finals of the awards, including Rinaldo’s Speciality Coffee and Tea Ltd from Kendal, Ginger Bakers from Kendal, and Shed 1 Distillery from Ulverston.

Ms Beamont said she thought it was "very important" that rural businesses get recognised, adding: "There are lots of fantastic and successful businesses in this county, but because they're not city-based, they tend to get forgotten a little bit. Rural businesses should be lauded when they can be."