COMMUNITIES across East Lancashire are celebrating after helping the area scoop 27 awards in the annual Best Kept Village awards.

Judges of the keenly-fought contest announced their favourite locations in the county, with East Lancashire picking up awards in both the overall awards and individual feature merit awards.

Ribble Valley took first, second and third place in the Best Kept Hamlet category, with last year's winner, Harrop Fold - between Sawley and Bolton-by-Bowland - scooping the top honour again. Walker Fold, near Bashall Eaves, came second, with Knowle Green, near Longridge, coming third.

Two other Ribble Valley village scooped awards for being the most improved on last year.

Billington took the title for most improved large village and Barrow, near Whalley, won the honour for most improved small village.

Other Ribble Valley communities include Read, which came second in the large village class and Wiswell, third in the small village category. Blacko, in Pendle, was highly commended in the Champion's Class.

Competition co-ordinator for Harrop Fold, Frank Robinson, said: "Our main aim has been to keep up the same high standards and that has been difficult because the weather is affecting the situation."

Communities which won honours in the certificate of merit categories include Longridge, Newchurch in Pendle, Ribchester, Knowle Green, Billington, Whalley, Blacko, Old Langho, Read, Barrow and Hurst Green.

The award ceremony is next month.