THE WINNERS of the first round of The Hills Group’s Best Kept Village competition have been announced.

Over 40 villages were entered into the county competition which recognises the best kept villages in Wiltshire. Divided into categories of population, large having a population of over 1000, medium with 300-1000 residents and small, having a population under 300, are about to be judged to determine which three top Best Kept Villages in Wiltshire will be named.

The top winners in their categories, divided into areas of Wiltshire, included Brinkworth, Biddestone, Upper and Lower Seagry, Bratton, Edington, Bishopstrow, Winterbournes, Dinton, Ansty, Great Bedwyn, All Cannings and Rushall.

The four winners in each of the three categories will be judged this month and given prizes as well as runners up and third place villages also being awarded a cash prize.

The three top villages will also be given a plaque for a year on their village green to mark their accomplishment. The awards ceremony at each of the villages will fall on September 25 when president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Lord-Lieutenant Sarah Troughton will unveil the winners.

The full list of placed winners are as follows:

North Wiltshire and Swindon

Large: 1st Brinkworth, 2nd Box, 3rd Bradenstoke

Medium: 1st Biddestone, 2nd Dauntsey

Small: 1st Upper and Lower Seagry, 2nd Charlton, 3rd Hankerton

South Wiltshire

Large: 1st Winterbournes, 2nd Whiteparish, 3rd Alderbury & Waddon

Medium: 1st Dinton, 2nd Hindon, 3rd Fovant

Small: 1st Ansty, 2nd Baverstock, 3rd Burcombe

Kennet 

Large: 1st Great Bedwyn, 2nd Bromham, 3rd Ramsbury

Medium: 1st All Cannings, 2nd Milton Lilbourne

Small: 1st Rushall, 2nd Lockeridge, 3rd Woodborough

West Wiltshire

Large: 1st Bratton, 2nd Holt, 3rd Bowerhill 

Medium: 1st Edington, 2nd Shaw, 3rd Whitley

Small: 1st Bishopstrow, 2nd Great Hinton