More than 100 judges travelled the length and breadth of the county to scrutinise for this year's Lincolnshire Best Kept Village and Small Town Competition in search of the best of the best in the County.


North Thoresby won the class for medium sized villages. It has enjoyed previous success in the competition, winning in the late 1990s and again in 2001. 2nd in this Class is Ropsley and 3rd Gedney.


The winner of Class 1 is Greatford, this village has been up in the top three several times in recent years, last winning in 2006. 2nd in this Class is Coleby and 3rd Stickford.


The winner of Class 3 is Nettleham, this is a village that has won or been placed in the top three on many occasions, but the last time they won was 2002. 2nd is Burgh Le Marsh and 3rd Pinchbeck.


The Small Market Town winner is Horncastle, this town was last year’s winner, so obviously they have kept up their high standards, the runner up is Long Sutton, who have been winners twice in recent years.


The Past Winners Class was won by Ingham, this village has won for the last 3 years; a community who really work together to continue to bring in results, the runner up in this Class is Hagworthingham.


The competition is organised by Teresa Palmer of Community Lincs, in partnership with the Lincolnshire Branch of CPRE, with continued sponsorship from the District Councils, Lincolnshire County Council and Pennells Garden Centres.


* As previously reported Market Rasen Town Council opted against entering this year because it anticipated critical comments and judging by the state of the town just now - highlighted in our Scruffy Town campaign - that was an inspired avoidance of embarrassment.