VILLAGES in Wyre Forest are running out of time to enter this year's Worcestershire Village of the Year competition.

The closing date for the contest - which is open to every village in the county - is tomorrow.

Six aspects of village life are judged, with categories for building community life, business, young people, older people, environment and information communication technology.

Organiser of the competition, on behalf of Community First, Nina Owen said: "The entry process is very easy. There is just a simple community profile for each village to fill in and return to Community First.

"Anyone can fill it in, as long as it is counter-signed by a village committee, such as the village hall or parish council."

She added: " I can't stress enough what a positive experience taking part in the competition at any level can be and I want as many of the county's villages to benefit as possible."

The winner will later compete in the Calor English Village of the Year competition, which has a prize fund of more than £36,000.

Successful villages in the building community life category will receive a share of the £500 prize money, which has been provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Defra.

Shortlisted villages will be visited in May and June and the winner will be announced at the end of June.

For further information or entry forms, contact Nina Owen or Andrea Cooper at Community First on 01684 573334 or visit www.villageoftheyear.org