THREE villages are preparing to impress a panel of judges this month for the Calor Hertfordshire Village of the Year competition. Redbourn, Park Street and Kimpton are three of the 13 villages competing for the title of best village in Herts as part of a

THREE villages are preparing to impress a panel of judges this month for the Calor Hertfordshire Village of the Year competition.

Redbourn, Park Street and Kimpton are three of the 13 villages competing for the title of best village in Herts as part of a national competition sponsored by the gas company Calor.

The judges, who will make their inspections over the next two weeks, will spend 90 minutes in each village and will listen to presentations from various community groups during the stay.

Redbourn will be inspected on June 11 and, after coffee and cake at the new Redbourn Cricket Pavilion with the villagers, the judges will be taken on a grand tour of the village which will include a pony and trap ride down the High Street.

Jo Simson, from competition organisers the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said of the event: "It's the ideal opportunity to bring communities to life and, although it will be hard work for the villagers, past experience has shown that it's also a very enjoyable experience for all involved."

The winning village will be announced at a County Hall ceremony on June 25 and it will go on to represent Herts in the Calor Village of the Year for England final, which will be judged next April.