Villagers in Lichfield and Burntwood are making final preparations for the judging stage of Staffordshire’s Best Kept Village competiton.
Fifty-eight entries have been received, including the return of Alrewas and Hopwas after being absent in recent years.
John Perry MBE, chairman of the Best Kept Village working group, said: “I’m sure that people will see plenty of activity in the villages which have entered.
“There will be people picking up litter, groups working in churchyards and small areas of open space, others will be keeping noticeboards up to date and checking posters and banners. In other words, generally doing all the sort of work which is necessary to keep the village environments in good condition.
“While many villages have adopted the philosophy of maintaining a high standard in their village all year round, I’m sure that they will be putting in that extra bit of effort throughout May, June and July.
“We are bound to have another closely fought competition at the top and all the villages will be doing their best whatever the outcome.”
The first and second rounds of judging will run from May 1 to June 22. The three best large and three best small villages from the five areas of the county then go forward to the area finals. The top ten will be judged again in July before the overall winners are revealed in August.
