Villagers across Hertfordshire have been celebrating after the announcement of the results of the annual Village of the Year competition.

A packed County Suite at County Hall received the long-awaited results of the competition organised by CPRE Hertfordshire and sponsored by Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Cottered, Ashwell and Redbourn have celebrated area wins with Ashwell also chosen as the overall winner.

Judge Tom Davidson said, Judging the competition was more difficult than ever this year. There is a wealth of talent, enterprise and innovative thinking in our villages, which is translated into achievements through the commitment and hard work of the villagers.

Presentation ceremonies, and the unveiling of the prestigious Village of the Year Trophies, will take place on Saturday 24 July in the three major prize-winning villages of Cottered,

Village of the Year East, Ashwell, Village of the Year North and Redbourn, Village of the Year West.

THE RESULTS IN FULL

Environment Category: Lemsford

Business Category: Knebworth

People Category: Woolmer Green

Communications Category: Hunsdon

Small Village of the Year: Lemsford

Village of the Year East: Cottered

Village of the Year North: Ashwell

Village of the Year West: Redbourn

Overall Winner of the title Hertfordshire Village of the Year 2010: Ashwell

Peterkin Award: Robin Wordsworth of Knebworth

Dorothy Abel Smith Young People's Award: Lewis Harris of Cottered