Battle joined for best village title

Staffordshire's hotly-contested Best Kept Village Competition is open to entries once again, with organisers especially keen to hear from new entrants.

The event, which is organised by the Community Council of Staffordshire, is hotly contested by a host of regular entrants. They will already be taking stock of their villages to work out what needs to be done to impress the judges later this year. The Community Council says it is happy to welcome "the regulars" into the competition.

However, it also hopes that new villages, or those who have not entered for some time, will take part under a category created for new entrants. The overall winners in each category will win a cash prize.

John Perry, chairman of the Best Kept Village Working Group, said: "The competition is not about finding the prettiest villages but deciding which villages have managed to generate interest among their communities and persuaded individuals, groups and organisations to make their village the best kept in their area .

"If your village decides not to enter why not get involved in judging the competition. Please contact Liz Sanderson on 01785 242525".

Earlier this month, the Express & Star revealed how Best Kept Village judges will this year concentrate less on villages' dog dirt and more on the state of their churchyards and care of communal buildings.

This year the sponsors include the Express & Star, Staffordshire County Council, and the National Memorial Arboretum.

Entry forms for the competition are available on request on 01785 242525 or email communitycouncil@staffs .org.uk