Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC) has announced the winners in the prestigious Warwickshire's Calor Village of the Year competition, with Long Compton taking the coveted title for 2009.

Long Compton also won first place in the 'Sustainability' category of the competition, sponsored by Calor Gas Ltd, and will now go through to the national finals to be held later in the year. Described as a 'shining example of an active, caring and sustainable village', by the Warwickshire judges, Long Compton impressed them with the breadth of its activities across the board.Long Compton wins Village of The Year 2009

Other individual category winners were Easenhall, judged to be best in the 'Community' section, Wolvey, singled out for its excellence in the 'Business' category, and Welford-on-Avon, placed first in the 'Communication' section.

Competition Organiser Ariadne Uslu said the contest had been particularly difficult to judge due to the very high standard of entries. "These villages demonstrated their clear commitment to rural community life in a wide variety of ways and it was this enthusiasm and dedication to building a bright future that most captured the imagination of the judges," she said.

Chairman of WRCC Brian Douthwaite said, "I am always heartened to see the exciting, innovative and caring  projects in which these communities involve themselves. They have once again shown that to live in rural Warwickshire is a marvellous opportunity, and that anyone can become involved in contributing to strong and sustainable communities."