SOUTH Cerney, the village at the heart of the Cotswold Water Park, has won a coveted best kept village title for the second time.

But the last time the village won the Bledisloe Cup Best Kept Village competition was 46 years ago.

And since those days the community has more than doubled in size, with several new housing estates being added to cater for an influx of commuters who travel to places such as Swindon each day to work.

But the judges have again praised the village not only for its appearance but also for its community atmosphere.

Parish clerk Maurice McKee said: "It is a great honour to receive this award, because we have worked so hard towards it. Everyone is delighted."

Praise for the village came from Adrian Phillips, Professor of Countryside and Environ-mental Planning at the University of Wales.

He described the waterside areas of Bow Wow and along School Lane as "absolutely enchanting" and said all the pathways in the village were well maintained and litter-free.

He said: "There are two things that are wonderful about South Cerney. The first is the care with which the traditionally attractive areas among the old Cotswold buildings are managed, and second is the care taken over the newer and often less obviously appealing areas.

"Everything I saw confirmed South Cerney was a strong community with a thriving village atmosphere."

Barmaid Judi Colborne, who works at The Royal Oak public house in South Cerney, added: "It's marvellous that our village has won such a prestigious award. Holiday makers always comment on how lovely South Cerney is, so we are very proud to have won."

Evening Advertiser reporter Martin Vincent, who has lived there for more than 30 years, was not surprised it had won the title.

"Apart from being an attractive place to live, South Cerney is a somewhat unique place which has no dividing lines between 'newcomers' and the old villagers," he said.