Oxenhope has wowed judges and has been voted one of the best villages in a Yorkshire competition.

It has taken second place in the South and West Yorkshire Village of the Year competition and shortly will be receiving a certificate.

Oxenhope and neighbouring village Cullingworth had both been shortlisted for the annual Yorkshire competition and had made the final 14.

This was the second year of the competition, which also saw Cullingworth finish in the top five.

The winner was East Keswick, in Leeds, which will receive a small cash prize, a steel plaque mounted on an oak surround and entry into the Village of the Year competition -- sponsored by Calor Gas -- for England and Wales.

Oxenhope also had to compete against entries from Barwick in Elmet and Pool in Wharfedale.

The villages were assessed on environmental issues, business, young and old people, and community life.

A special information technology award was introduced, for this year only, for the village which already used or planned to use IT to improve the quality of rural life.

On Oxenhope, the judges commented: "They gave a nice balance between information and anecdotes in their presentation to us.

"Their church plays a strong part in the village, both as premises and through the church magazine, which makes a strong bond with the community.

"They had some impressive environmental projects -- the Millennium Green and the community composting scheme. They have a very strong caring ethos with Manorlands."

Chairman of Oxenhope Parish Council Councillor Derek Allen said: "We are extremely pleased that we are runners up, as this is the first time we have gone into it.

"We are delighted and next year we will definitely be having another try. One of the most important things has been the community involvement in things from planting to tidying up."

He added: "The war memorial, Millennium Green and rose garden were the three things that we felt were the reasons that helped us to get so far.

"I would like to thank Bradford Council and the three sponsors who provided the money to refurbish our rose garden - Yorkshire Co-op, Yorkshire Water and Headrow Housing."

The competition was organised by the Yorkshire Rural Community Council.