WITH pubs closing down at a rate of 31 per week nationwide, organisers of a new food and drink awards say it’s high time we in Bucks celebrated what we still have to offer.

Figures from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) show watering holes disappearing fast, with the action group suggesting even quality pubs are left vulnerable to being converted into supermarkets in planning law.

And the Buckinghamshire Food & Drink Awards, which celebrates pubs, restaurants and producers, seeks to defend and celebrate quality outlets in the community as it asks people to put forward nominations.

Awards organiser Damian Cummins, said: “It's shocking that even great pubs are vulnerable to what could be a whim.

“Like other food and drink venues, they are the beating heart of our communities.

“As well as using great pubs and campaigning for changes in the law we can celebrate them and this is just what the Buckinghamshire Food & Drink Awards are all about.

"We want people to nominate the very best, not just pubs but restaurants and other fantastic food and drink establishments.”

The Buckinghamshire Food & Drink Awards will be held in May next year, are organisers are now looking for nominations across a range of categories.

Visit the website www.bucksfoodanddrinkawards.co.uk for more details.