SOUTHWOLD High Street's mixture of fine dining and mouth-watering food has seen it shortlisted for a national accolade.

Colin Adwent

SOUTHWOLD High Street's mixture of fine dining and mouth-watering food has seen it shortlisted for a national accolade.

The Best Foodie Street in Britain prize, which was unveiled today, is part of the Google Street View Awards.

The picturesque Suffolk town is one of 20 locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland competing for the award.

Voters can go online today to nominate the street they would like to see win the title. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, February 28.

Southwold's deputy mayor Teresa Baggott, who also is the licensee of the Red Lion public house and restaurant, was delighted the town had been shortlisted.

Mrs Baggott said: “We do have a fabulous selection of pubs, restaurants and shops. They are all different and I think this is the appeal. We have thousands of people flock to the town year after year, all with different budgets. You can get anything in Southwold from a sandwich to a three-course haute cuisine meal. All our food, beers and wine are of extremely high quality.”

Richard Harden, co-editor of Harden's Restaurant Guides and one of the experts who compiled the shortlist, said: “It is great to have an award that stresses the variety of attractions you can find on the foodie front, across the UK.

“The nominations are so multi-various though that the final verdict is certainly going to be a tricky one.”

Southwold faces stiff competition from across the country, including Cley next the Sea High Street in Norfolk.

The winner must offer a unique blend of options including dining, cafes, market stalls and delicatessens.

Their offerings need to cover a diverse mix of food types and prices.

If you would like to place your vote log on to www.maps.google.co.uk/beststreets.