AN environmental enthusiast has been shortlisted for success for the country’s biggest blogging awards.

Ben Eagle is hoping to bring home an accolade from the UK Blog Awards 2017 for his nature and farming blog called Thinking Country.

He was handpicked from thousands of entrants for the awards which celebrate the best creative writers, photographers and video bloggers across 17 categories.

Ben, 26, of Frinton, is one of the eight finalists in the green and eco category and his blog will be judged by a panel of experts ahead of the awards ceremony in London on April 21.

He started writing his blog four years ago and works as an environmental and agricultural writer and project coordinator.

Ben said: “I started my blog to profile conservation and farming issues, and to seek common ground between them. It is also a great way to take part in conversations about these issues with people from all over the globe.”

For this year’s awards more than 95,000 votes were cast by the public to choose their favourite finalist for each of the categories.

Ben said: “I was shocked to find out that I am a finalist in the UK Blog Awards.

“It is brilliant to have the opportunity to reach a broader audience, and I’m looking forward to the ceremony in April and meeting all the other fantastic bloggers.”

The theme of the UK Blog Awards this year is is ‘Blog Hero’ in recognition of bloggers who are genuine, passionate and engage their audience.

UK Blog Awards director Gemma Newton said: “The 2017 UK Blog Awards is set to be our biggest and best yet, and we’re so excited by the shortlist of talented bloggers.“

The rise of social media channels has changed the way online content is perceived and the world of blogging and vlogging has never been so creative or influential.”

Ben will find out if he has been crowned the winner at the awards ceremony in London on April 21.