WORCESTER could win the title of Britain's best high street after being shortlisted for a national award.

The faithful city has been named as one of just 21 places still in the running in the Great British High Street Awards.

The awards recognise new and innovative ways of boosting high streets and shine a light on hard working traders and communities showing what can be done to help shopping streets evolve to be places where people want to shop, socialise and work.

Worcester secured its place on the list after the amazing response by traders to the floods of February this year.

During the tough few weeks when rising river levels cut off major routes into the city centre to cars and even at times pedestrians the high street stayed open and set up a campaign highlighting what it had to offer.

The Open 4 Business campaign saw both independent and national stores come together to get the message out through social media, a now infamous chalkboard and a blog run by Your Worcester News, that the shops were open.

Shopping centres also offered free parking and the city council laid on coaches to ensure people could still cross the main Worcester Bridge that was closed to normal vehicles.

Adrian Field Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), and said he was delighted to see the city recognised for its hard work.

"I am absolutely delighted," he said. "I think the campaign was great. Everybody was so willing to help to get the city back on its feet quicker than it did perhaps in 2007.

"There was a real community spirit amongst the high street businesses and the figures that came out after the flooding bore fruit."

In fact the figures turned an 18.7 percent drop in footfall on the High Street year on year during the week of the floods into just a 0.2 percent drop the week after the peak of the flood and then an 8.4 percent increase the following week.

Mr Field said: "We were well supported including by the Worcester News and the blog. The campaign helped to stop any lingering doubts by people trying to decide whether to come into Worcester or not.

"The businesses here really played their part. To be shortlisted is a real achievement."

The contest is being run by the Future High Street Forum and received more than 135 entries.

There are seven categories, coastal, market town, city, village, local parade, town centre and London.

The entries will now be visited by a member of the judging panel with Worcester taking its turn on Monday.

And Mr Field thinks the high street is still looking good.

"In terms of the high street now I think there has been positive reaction to the resurfacing, we have the flexibility of having the market stalls as well, which people like, and we have fewer empty units than many city centres."

A winner will be selected for each category and announced in about a month's time.

People can show their support for their local high street on twitter using #GBHighSt or by visiting thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.

The winners will win a share of £50,000 prize money and receive dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts.