VILLAGERS in Great Bedwyn are celebrating after being given top marks in the first round of the Best Kept Village award.

The village scored 90 points in the first round and now hopes to take the county title after judging later this month.

Parish councillor Rodney Searles, of Granary Road, said: “The nearest village in points was Bromham, it is a good feeling that we are the highest out of all the districts of Wiltshire. We did a lot of things to make sure we did well this year, for example, we had some high quality maps produced for the judges and I really think that made a big difference.”

After not winning a place in the awards since 2007, the Parish Council and villagers have been pulling out all the stops this year.

“Last year was quite difficult, we had lost our parish clerk and our chairman, so this year we are making up for it. We put a lot of effort into the maps and brochures we provided the judges, we even got an illustrator involved, and it really showed the judges we put in a lot of work,” added Mr Searles.

The hard work from everyone in the village has not gone unnoticed, with Mr Searles thanking everyone for all of their effort to get Great Bedwyn to this stage in the competition.

“I think we are in with a chance this year, we will find out in two weeks after the final round of the judging has taken place. I am genuinely grateful to everyone in the village who helped get everything ready for the judges and making the village look so wonderful,” said Mr Searles.