A PRESTIGEOUS architectural competition to find the best examples of new and converted farm buildings was relaunched today after being abandoned during the foot and mouth crisis.

The idea is to boost the design not just of farm buildings but conversions like small workshops and offices that help provide new jobs in the countryside.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Farm and Country Buildings Award Scheme is one of the country's top architectural award schemes but judging for the 2001 awards was postponed because of foot and mouth.

Now the owners, builders and designers of the best examples of rural architecture are being invited to nominate them for the prestigious awards which will be presented in 2002, when hopefully judges will again be able to visit rural buildings without compromising bio-security.