A book store in Falmouth is in the running to be named Independent Bookshop of the Year.

The Falmouth Bookseller has been shortlisted for the British Book Awards that take place in London's Grosvenor House Hotel in May.

This year a record 49 bookshops from around the UK are vying for the overall prize, with the Falmouth store one of eight to be shortlisted in the south west.

The shops will compete to win their region first, before vying for the overall prize.

Regarded as “the BAFTAs of the book trade," the awards - also known as The Nibbies - are run by The Bookseller, a weekly business magazine for the book trade since 1858.

Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller’s managing editor, said: “There has been a resurgence in the last few years for the indie books sector with a growing number of stores

and an increased market share.

"The high street in general may be struggling but indie bookshops are thriving in this challenging environment because of the expertise of staff - which can beat an Amazon algorithm any day - but also that they are true hubs of their communities.”

The winners of each region will be announced on March 20 and those nine shops will then battle for the top prize, which includes a cheque for £5,000 to be put towards the running of the shop.

Falmouth Bookseller was named Best Independent Bookshop in the south west region in 2013.