Brailes is one of the best - that's official (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Brailes is one of the best - that's official

BRAILES has been named as one of the best-kept villages in Warwickshire.

Residents rallied round over the past year to make sure the Cotswold-stone village would win the approval of judges.

Brailes came second in the large village category in the whole of Warwickshire and took top honours in the Shipston district competition.

The reverend Nicolas Morgan, vicar of St George's Church in Lower Brailes, paid tribute to the hard work of villagers. "A large number of people in the village contribute to keeping it looking good - I am so pleased that all their hard work has been recognised."

The hard work of parishioners in Long Compton and Ilmington was also rewarded, with both villages picking up gold awards in the Calor Gas sponsored competition. Barton-on-the-Heath also caught the eyes of judges, being named best small village in the Shipston area.

Competition organiser Jennifer Cranfield said villagers had risen to the challenge throughout Warwickshire. "Once again the standard was very high, and the judging teams had a tough time choosing the winners. There was a great deal of improvement in the entries received throughout the county, which is really positive."