VILLAGES across Wiltshire will be battling it out to see who will be crowned winners at this year’s Best Kept Village Competition (BKVC).

Organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) the competition features separate categories for small (population of up to 300 people), medium (301 to 1,000 people) and large (1,001 – 3,500 people) villages, with winners of each category receiving a £200 cash prize.

Runners-up receive smaller prizes and an overall ‘Winner of Winners’ village prize will also be awarded, which celebrates the village that has excelled in all aspects of the competition over the past three years.

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Anyone from a village can submit an entry to the competition, but it is advised that the parish council is informed so as to not duplicate entries.

The criteria villages will be judged by include litter collection and cleanliness, presentation of village green spaces, churchyards, paths and streets and rewilding and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Residents across Wiltshire are being encouraged to take part in this year’s event by organising litter collections, cleaning bus shelters and other outside areas and sweeping footpaths to enhance their village’s appearance.

Help is on hand from Wiltshire Council, who are sponsoring this year’s competition alongside its contractor, idverde, as the council can provide access to litter pickers and other necessary equipment for local clean-up efforts and the collection of bagged waste.

Requests for equipment can be made by contacting wiltshirehelpdesk@idverde.co.uk.

Councillor Nick Holder, cabinet member for highways and street scene at Wiltshire Council, said: “It is not only an opportunity for our residents to win prizes within their villages but also a chance to build a sense of community, enhance village pride, and to come together in a collective effort to protect and preserve the environment.

“The latter of which is a key business plan priority for us as a council.

“Whether it’s a small rural village, such as West Dean or Tytherington, or one of our larger villages, such as Alderbury or Seend, every bit of effort counts! We look forward to seeing the pride and effort that our villagers bring to the competition.”

Mike Manson from CPRE Wiltshire, said: “Villagers who take part in the BKVC find it to be a very rewarding experience, both during preparation and if they win.

“The main presentation day, in September, always demonstrates their great pride and community spirit in having done well.

“There is no cost to enter and submitting the entry pack (a simple form, a map and a short report) doesn’t take much time or effort.”

Find application details and guidelines on how to enter on the CPRE Wiltshire website – www.cprewiltshire.org.uk/category/awards/

The competition is open to all villages in Wiltshire, and entries will be accepted until the application deadline on April 17.

Judging will take place initially from mid-May to mid-June, with a second round of judging in July.

Winners will be announced in August.