The race is on for UK farmers to enter this year’s RSPB Telegraph Nature of farming Award, with applications being accepted until Friday 20 April.

The award aims to find farmers who put in the most work on their land to help threatened countryside species and is run by the RSPB, supported by Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife, and sponsored by The Telegraph.

Farmers have been entering 2012’s competition since it launched earlier this year, but the RSPB is today reminding those who’ve yet to throw their hat into the ring to do so now before it’s too late.

After the closing date, entries will be shortlisted to eight regional winners then a panel of experts will decide which four should go through to the national finals. The UK public will then decide the winner by casting their votes online, via The Telegraph or at country shows throughout the summer.

There is also be a highly commended category to recognise the efforts of farmers who have excelled in their support of farmland wildlife.

The deadline for entries is 20 April. All the details on how to enter can be found on the RSPB website at – www.rspb.org.uk/natureoffarming