WILLERSEY has carried off a title as one of the top villages in Gloucestershire for maintaining and enhancing quality of life.

It was judged best in the medium-sized category of the Calor Gloucestershire Best Kept Village competition.

The judging was carried out by the county's branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE).

Willersey beat off the challenge of Down Ampney to earn its award, which marked a hat-trick. It was also voted best in 1997 and 2000.

Chairman of the parish council Maurice Andrews said: "It is all thanks to the excellent community spirit within our village. We have 12 active organisations and have no problem getting volunteers to help look after our village all the year round."

In the large villages category, Mickleton finished runner-up to Upton St Leonard's, while Moreton was highly commended.

Gloucestershire CPRE will decide which village will be selected to go on to represent the county in the Calor Village of the Year for England and Wales. That will be contested by more than 40 villages drawn from the two countries.

Criteria for entrants in the competition will be well-balanced, pro-active, caring communities which have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Aspects will include community life, business, older people, younger people, environment and information technology.

The overall winner of the competition will get £6,000, with regional winners taking £1,500 each.

Regional judging for this year's competition takes place during the last two weeks of October, with final judging during November. Results will be announced in December.

Calor, the liquefied petroleum gas company, has supported rural activities in England and Wales for 16 years through its rural sponsorship programme.

Further information about the Calor Village of the Year or the rural sponsorship programme are available from Village of the Year organiser Michael Palmer on 01438 714941.