VILLAGES can win £10,000 as part of a Channel 4 search.

The Cotswold district is known for having some of the most picturesque villages in the country and Channel 4 has launched a nationwide hunt for the Village of the Year 2017.

Anyone living in a village can nominate their neighbourhood as a contender by visiting the Village of the Year website and following a simple application process.

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Sunday May 14 and a panel of judges, led by Penelope Keith, will then draw up a shortlist of nominees and then visit the villages to determine the winner.

The £10,000 prize should be used in a way that would benefit the village.

Judges will be paying regard to the appearance, history and heritage, village events, village activities and visitor experience.