AN ANNUAL award which has promoted the teaching of traditional trades and skills in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been revamped for 2013.

The Duke of Cornwall's Award will now be for farm business diversification and will be presented at the Royal Cornwall Show in June.

The award will be made to the farm business that is adjudged to have most successfully diversified its enterprise and the organisers are now seeking nominations.

There have been seven recipients of the award in its previous form - from a thatcher to a shipwright and from Cornish hedging to baking. Now farmers running businesses from the land or buildings on their farm are in the spotlight.

Young people and their employment are still very much part of the award, but it was felt that the criteria should be widened to reflect the need for innovation and diversification in the rural economy.

The judging panel will be looking at a wide variety of issues, including commercial viability and sustainability, creativity, contribution to the local economy, employment opportunities (in particular for young people) and community benefit.

B&B and holiday cottage enterprises are not eligible for this award.

Entries are invited from all sizes of business. An application form is available from info@royalcornwall.co.uk or by phoning 01208 812183.

Anyone can make a nomination (not for themselves), as long as the nominee is aware of it.

The award carries with it a perpetual trophy (to be held for the year) and a signed certificate plus a cash prize of £1,000 from His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall.

Closing date for applications is 1st March, 2013.

Christopher Riddle is secretary of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, which administers the award.

He said: “There is no doubt that the award in its previous form has been widely welcomed by all its recipients and that it has helped to raise widespread awareness of the importance of traditional skills and trades to today's economy.

“This is still recognised in the revamped award, which His Royal Highness feels is now more suitably matched to the needs of those farm-based enterprises which are investing in local people and produce and which are finding markets both close to home and further afield.”