THE best kept villages in the district have been revealed and are now in with a chance of representing Wiltshire in the regional finals.

The contest, sponsored by Calor and organised by the Wilt-shire Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), chose 12 villages to go through to the county round.

CPRE branch chairman George McDonic said: "We had a great response to the competition this year, with over 60 villages entering.

"Once again the standard was very high, and the judges had a tough time choosing the district winners. This year's judging proved to be a particularly enjoyable experience with the lovely weather we've been having, and the overall lack of litter in all of the villages visited by the judges made it even more pleasant."

The villages chosen in west Wiltshire were Chitterne, Horning-sham and Atworth, with Upper and Lower Seagry, Charlton and Colerne winners in north Wiltshire.

The competition involves communities from over 45 counties across England and Wales and has a prize fund of £37,000, with the overall winner in line for a £10,500 prize.

For further information contact Margaret Armand Smith at Wiltshire CPRE on (01380) 722157.