THE search is on for Dorset’s best village.

Residents are being urged to work together and take pride in their communities and be in with a chance of winning the prestigious accolade.

West Dorset cleaned up last year with Martinstown, Loders and Winterbourne Steepleton scooping the top awards.

Winfrith Newburgh was praised for having for the best shop.

The competition has just been launched for 2015 by Dorset Community Action, which will be sending out judges this spring.

This is the 29th year of the Dorset Echo-backed contest and as well as prizes for the best-kept village there are ‘environment’ and ‘people’s project’ categories.

Entry packs are being sent to the county’s villages, inviting them to enter either through the parish council, village hall committee or other active community group.

Magna Housing has been the major sponsor for the competition since 2010 and has renewed its support this year. Additional sponsorship comes from Dorset County Council, the four district councils, and a range of other organisations.

DCA’s competition organiser Rita Burden said: “Last year 53 villages entered one or more categories of ‘Best Village’ so our aim this year is to encourage communities which have never taken part in this rewarding competition to enter for the first time.

“Any organisation can enter its village – the village hall committee, school, youth club, scout or guide group or other active community group, besides the parish council.

“Even Dorset’s smallest hamlets can enter.”

Besides the main ‘Best Village’ competition, there are further entry sections – the people’s project, which is the village judged to have entered the best project involving local active people, and environmental champions, for the village judged to be doing the best ‘Green’ initiative.

Last year a new section category of best village shop was introduced. The sponsors, Dorset’s branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), is supporting this category for a second year. Communities are asked to nominate the village shop which serves them best.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Monday, April 6. DCA is encouraging groups to save paper and postage by entering the competition online if possible.

Entry packs can be downloaded from dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk or by telephoning DCA on 01305 216407, to be sent a copy by email or on paper.