The top five nominations are:

A. Willsher & Son, Colchester

Blackwell's Farm Shop, Coggeshall

Layer Marney Meats, Colchester 

Meatline Maldon

Pier Avenue Butchers, Clacton 

Voting opens in paper on the 19th Feb and closes Tuesday 19th March. 

The winner will be presented with an engraved trophy, a professionally printed vinyl banner, and a certificate plus a feature in the local newspaper.

One nomination per form and photocopies will not be accepted. If at the close of the nominating stage, there are less than five in the category or a tie the decision may be taken to release all nominated sites into the final voting stage. The Editor's decision is final. All nominations must arrive at the printed address by the stated closing date to be included.

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