A FORMER winner of the Best Kept Village competition has boycotted this year's contest in protest over unfair judging.

Heytesbury has withdrawn its entry to the Calor Village of the Year Competition, weeks before the contest is due to start.

Last year Heytesbury received low marks despite good comments and was penalised for not spending £50,000 on a new playground.

Now the parish council has decided not to waste efforts entering the contest, despite scooping the award in 1995.

The Campaign for Rural England judges the competition.

Chairman George McDonic said: "If the village has any worries about judging they should contact me and we will deal with it."