COMMUNITIES get ready – the search has begun for Dorset’s best village with the launch of the 2017 competition.

And there’s an opportunity for young people to take part this year.

The Echo-backed competition has been organised by Dorset Community Action for the past 30 years.

Entry details are being sent to villages inviting them to enter either through the parish council, village hall committee or other community groups. And new for 2017, under 25 groups are being offered the chance to enter a new Young People’s Award.

Magna Housing has been the major sponsor for the competition since 2010 and has continued its generous support for another year.

Additional sponsorship comes from Dorset County Council, Dorset Echo, Dorset Magazine, Blackmore Vale Magazine, along with food producers Clipper Tea, Fudges Biscuits, Honeybuns, Craig’s Dairies and Helen Furness Catering.

DCA’s Competition Organiser Rita Burden said: “Last year we celebrated thirty years of running the competition. Looking to the future we want to encourage entries from young people so we have launched a special category for them.”

She added: “Don’t forget that any organisation can enter its village – the village hall committee, pre-school or primary school, youth club, Scout or Guide group, Women’s Institute, over 60s club, sports club, or any other active community group, besides the parish council. Even Dorset’s smallest hamlets can enter.”

Catriona Fountain from Magna Housing said: “We support the communities we are based in so we are really pleased to be main sponsors for the Dorset Best Village awards for eight years now. We’re particularly excited to find out about some of the great things our young people are doing through this year’s special young person’s award.”

Besides the main Best Village competition, there are four other sections:

* The People’s Project – village judged to have the best project involving local active people

* Environmental Champions – village judged to be doing the best ‘green’ initiative

* Best Village Shop – the Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is supporting this category for a third year. Communities are asked to nominate the village shop which serves them best

* Young People’s Award – new category for projects led by people under 25 who are helping their community or local environment

Rita Burden said: “We want villages to demonstrate that they work together, taking pride in their surroundings and amenities, while promoting great community spirit.

The deadline for entries in the Best Village category only is 5pm on April 10. For other categories it is 5pm on July 3.

DCA has again appealed to groups to save paper by entering the competition online if possible via www.dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk For paper copies call 01305 216407.