A BEWDLEY food store has proved it is "deli-icious" and is on its way to being crowned Best Deli in the Midlands.

The Deli at Bewdley has been shortlisted for the prestigious award from the BBC Good Food Show after its customers voted it to the top of the taste charts.

Chris Thomason, owner of the Load Street store, said he put the store forward for the prize but did not expect to be shortlisted.

"It's a surprise really," he said. "We're very honoured to be amongst the other nominees.

"It's a bit of a shock but it's great for the deli, and people have been voting for us so we must be doing something right."

Having taken over the deli just over a year ago, My Thomason said he has worked tirelessly to bring it back to its former glory and offer local people something can't get elsewhere.

"The deli's been open about five years or so. The business has slowly puttered off each year and the previous owner had lost a bit of interest in it and then we took the deli on. We've been here a year now and we've got it back to a good place but we didn't expect to be shortlisted with the others," Mr Thomason said.

The Deli, which is only as big as a large front room in a house, is the only one in Worcestershire to be up for the prize and will be up against some much larger stores, including Betty's Farm Shop in Derby, Onley Grounds Farm Show in Rugby and Ludlow Food Centre in Shropshire. But putting them ahead of the rest is their specialist menu. The store is the only place in the area where customers can buy Forest Pig outside of a restaurant, and also stocks other local specialist products from nearby businesses, including Lightwood Cheese made by Philip Hulland, and works others to create unique products, including their hand-raised pork pies.

"We're a tiny, little deli and thatis where the surprise is. We try to have service with a smile and try out best to source things if people are after something special," Mr Thomason added.

The shortlisted stores were told via Twitter on Tuesday . A spokesman for the BBC Good Food Show Midlands' Best Deli or Farm Shop 2014 said: "Following our call for nominations from foodies across the Midlands, The Deli at Bewdley had an impressive amount of recommendations from the public and they obviously have a great local following that love their great customer service, friendly management and brilliant selection of local and UK products, including an exceptional cheese selection. We can't wait to visit and find out what the fuss is all about."

Judges will now perform a "mystery shop" at the store and the other ones on the shortlist ahead of the winter show at the NEC Birmingham November 27 to 30 when a winner will be chosen.