There is less than a week left in which to cast your vote for the Broads in BBC Countryfile's National Park of the Year awards.

Eastern Daily Press: Ruth Knight, Chair of Broads Tourism.Picture: Nick ButcherRuth Knight, Chair of Broads Tourism.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

The region was named one of five finalists in the competition after it was nominated along with Snowdonia, Northumberland, Exmoor and New Forest national parks.

Magazine readers were asked to submit suggestions, which judges then scrutinised before selecting the five nominees.

Members of the public are now asked to nominate their favourite with voting open until March 5.

READ MORE: The 'mysterious, marvellous' Broads nominated for National Park of the Year

Eastern Daily Press: Broads Authority chair Jacquie Burgess. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYBroads Authority chair Jacquie Burgess. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2015)

Newly appointed Broads Tourism chair Ruth Knight said the nomination was 'a wonderful achievement for the Broads'.

'Winning would be fantastic elevating the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads onto the international tourism stage, helping us to promote the area as the world-class destination that we all know it is,' she said.

'Tourism to the Broads is already vital to our economy with nearly 8m visitors contributing around £600m and employing approximately 8,000 local people.'

READ MORE: Key changes to Broads Tourism announced as organisation faces bright future

Eastern Daily Press: Ashtree Farm Mill. Picture: Christopher HillAshtree Farm Mill. Picture: Christopher Hill (Image: Archant)

Mrs Knight said winning the title would enable Broads Tourism to promote the Broads as a year-round destination, attracting new visitors and boosting the economy and employment.

'We should all be very proud of being nominated, as it recognises that we have beautiful countryside, a quarter of the country's rarest wildlife and a superb cultural heritage and the National Park winner's accolade will help us to ensure that is all protected for us all to enjoy now and in the future.'

READ MORE: The Broads Needs You! Why you should vote in the National Park of the Year awards

Broads Authority chair Jacquie Burgess said she had been able to witness the hard work and dedication that goes into running the Broads National Park.

Eastern Daily Press: The Broads has been named a finalist in the National Park of the Year awards. Picture: Tom MackieThe Broads has been named a finalist in the National Park of the Year awards. Picture: Tom Mackie (Image: © Tom Mackie)

She said: 'When Sir Arthur Hobhouse first studied areas in Great Britain worthy of National park status, in 1949, he listed the Broads as a prime contender, describing it as 'a potential National Park which seems to belong to another world'.

'There really is no landscape quite like it anywhere else in the UK and we're all so proud of the good work which goes on here.

'To vote for the Broads in the Countryfile National Park awards is to recognise the uniqueness of this landscape and the phenomenal management which takes place to make it a space of enjoyment for all.'

To vote for the Broads visit: BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018: National Park of the Year