CHIPPING Norton has been fast out of the blocks in the race to be named Britain’s best high street after being shortlisted in the Great British High Street competition.

With the contest hinging on a public vote and a visit to the town by a panel of judges, the team behind the town’s entry has wasted no time hitting the hustings for support.

Scores of residents and shoppers voted at a pop-up polling booth set up with Apple iPads by Experience Chipping Norton volunteers outside Delicacy Deli.

Hundreds more are voting online at chippy2win.com, which links directly to the voting page on the Great British High Street website.

Media crews have invaded the town with newspapers, radio and television all focused on Chipping Norton’s bid to win the market town category in the competition.

And well-wishes from the Cabinet Office, surrounding towns, business owners and former residents have flooded in on Twitter.

Meanwhile volunteers have brandished brushes and buckets to make sure the town looks its best when judges arrive with their score sheets on a date to be announced soon.