The East Anglian Daily Times is calling on Essex residents to celebrate their community spirit by entering the Essex Village of the Year Competition. Villages across Essex are being invited to follow in the footsteps of rural communities, like previous winner Great Bentley, and enter.

The East Anglian Daily Times is calling on Essex residents to celebrate their community spirit by entering the Essex Village of the Year Competition.

Villages across Essex are being invited to follow in the footsteps of rural communities, like previous winner Great Bentley, and enter.

The competition is sponsored by the EADT and organised by the Essex Rural Community Council.

A village will be selected from the final round of the Essex Village of the Year competition to go forward to the national competition, Calor Village of the Year for England and Wales, which is now in its seventh year.

"A strong community spirit, activities and events for all age groups, village pride and environmental care are the cornerstones which could reap national acclaim for local villages which take part in this year's Essex Village of the Year and Best Kept Village of the Year Competition," said Nick Shuttleworth, director of the Rural Community Council for Essex.

Calor, sponsors of the Village of the Year for England and Wales, added: "The judges look for well balanced, proactive caring communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents."

Prize money for this year's national competition is a total of nearly £35,000. First prize is £6,000 with £1,500 going to each of the six regional winners. There are also six Business in the Community Category Awards.

In 2001 Great Bentley, with its population of 2,000, was one of more than 1,500 entrants and won the Village of the Year competition for Essex as well as the Eastern England and Home Counties environment award. The village scooped the national title in 2000.

Last year, Great Chesterford won Essex village of the year and received a national commendation for business support. Stebbing was also commended for its conservation work.

The closing date for entries for the Essex competition is April 4 and further information or advice is available from the Rural Community Council for Essex on 01245 352046.