The Isles of Scilly is through to the final of a competition to find the best local food in the West.

Preliminary judging has been completed for the Best Local Food Awards, run by The Western Morning News, and Scilly is one of seven communities of varying sizes to have made the final without having to compete in other rounds.

A further eight are being considered in an interim round of judging in February.

Other communities of a high enough standard to have already made the final are Exeter, Truro, Crediton, Topsham, Tavistock and Marazion.

Aisling Hick, who oversaw the Isles of Scilly’s entry, told the Western Morning News: “We’re absolutely delighted to be nominated. Fewer than 2,000 people live here, but we cater for more than 130,000 visitors every year.

We want to promote local food as part of a sustainable industry, and visitors are increasingly aware of the benefits of buying local. It’s basically a very good green tourism plan.

For such a small place there are so many fantastic places to eat, and some ingenious growers. This competition can only further that development.”

The Western Morning News and ITV Westcountry launched the awards in April 2005, asking communities to prove that locally-produced food and drink are being used in various locations including shops, restaurants, pubs, schools, supermarkets and hospitals.

The contest, which is also sponsored by the Regional Development Agency’s South West Food and Drink Group, and supported by South West Tourism and Taste of the West, is aimed at highlighting entrants’ commitment to buying local food and hopes to boost the community’s economy by attracting visitors and residents to shop and eat locally.

Scilly has a strong tradition of using local produce wherever possible. A survey by Taste of the West, a non-profit company supporting food and drink businesses in the South West, last year found that over 90% of Cornwall and Scilly’s caterers surveyed prefered to use local food - and most were willing to pay more for it.

The final round of judging will take place in March. All finalists will be invited to attend an awards ceremony later in the year.