CONFECTIONERS Clare and Dave Ratcliff, of Thorpe Confectionery at West Worldham, near Alton, are hungry for votes after being named as finalists in the Best Local Food/Drink Producer category of the Muddy Stilettos Awards for Hampshire.

And they are looking for a little help from people in East Hampshire.

The couple set up Thorpe Confectionery in 2016, after being disappointed with the flavours of many commercially produced chocolates. They felt they had the drive and passion to create artisan handmade chocolates and confectionery using natural, locally sourced, ingredients to give honesty of flavour to all their products that everyone would enjoy and be proud of.

Although their customers “regularly tell us how amazing our products both look and taste”, the couple admit their nomination in the Muddy Stilettos Awards was a surprise.

A lifestyle website for women outside London, Muddy Stilettos was started by journalist Hero Brown in 2011 as a way of finding out “the fun stuff” to do in the countryside having moved out of London with her husband and baby son.

Muddy Stilettos caught on locally to become what Ms Brown describes as “the ultimate urban guide to the countryside” - providing “a witty insight into the best food, walks, boutiques, day trips, hotels, interiors and events for smart fun-loving women living outside London”.

The company’s annual awards celebrate “the most unique and brilliant local businesses in Britain”.

“These awards celebrate the same high standard that we put in our products,” said Clare, who added: “For the people who nominated us, we can only thank you for your continued support.”

To be in with a chance of winning Thorpe Confectionery needs as many votes as possible and Clare and Dave are urging people to vote for them.

To vote, visit hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/vote. Voting closes at 5.30pm tomorrow (Friday), with the results being published on Saturday.