GROUPS who attempt to make their community a better place are encouraged to enter a competition.

Flintshire’s annual 'Best Kept Communities' competition gives community groups throughout the county a chance to show how the time and effort they invest in their area benefits everyone - and contributes to environmental goals.

For the second year running, the competition will be co-ordinated by Flintshire Council’s partners, Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC).

Chief officer at FLVC, Ann Woods, said: "This competition is well aligned with our mission as an organisation, which is to support, promote and develop voluntary and community activity in the county - and to create opportunities for local groups to positively impact on local people and places.

"Building on the admirable number of entrants that participated last year, we’re aspiring to see every community represented this year."

Entrants are invited to compete for the accolade of best kept village or town, or best kept senior citizens social housing estate.

Villages with a population of less than 1,000 will compete against each other - as well as villages that have more than 1,000 residents.

All competing villages, towns and estates also have the option to compete for the award of best kept community area - perhaps an allotment, cemetery, park or church yard for example, best kept community building, and volunteer of the year.

The competition is made possible through sponsorship from local organisations.

Shaun Darlington, finance and business manager at FLVC, said: "Heartfelt thanks go to Airbus, Clwyd Alyn Housing, Double Click Design and Print, Lubrizol, Toyota Lindop Brothers and Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd, who supported last year’s competition.

"We look forward to the prospect of these local organisations sponsoring the event again this year, and invite others to pledge their support too."

As well as judging the appearance of each of the area's entered and hearing how groups are contributing to enhancing biodiversity in the environment - this year’s panel will be taking into account the level of involvement from local communities in the upkeep of areas and buildings as a whole.

All community and town councils are invited to participate in the contest - and are encouraged to support groups in their local area also wishing to take part.

Details about the competition are available in the 'about' section of the FLVC website (www.flvc.org.uk) - along with online and downloadable entry forms for each category.

The deadline for entries is Friday, June 12 at 2pm - with the panel making their judging visits in late July.

Competition co-ordinator, Mel Salisbury, can assist with any enquires and can be contacted via mel.salisbury@flvc.org.uk, or via 01352 744030.