A CALL to arms is being made by town champions in Chipping Norton who have entered the famous thoroughfares in a national competition.

Volunteer tourism, trade and community group Experience Chipping Norton says the town, home to Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been placed in the Market Town category of the 2015 Great British High Street Awards and is asking for joint help to give it the best chance of winning.

The Great British High Street Awards are a competition searching for Britain’s brightest and most forward-thinking towns and communities across a range of categories.

Winning the competition would raise the town's profile to visitors and also create new partnerships within the town to help it build on it success.

The group has already achieved a strong voluntary following of business-minded people with plans to increase the viability of the town and make it a better place to live and work.

"There is so much more we're capable of and so many things we need to accomplish if we're going to place Chippy where it belongs - at the heart of the Cotswolds map in terms of vibrant trade, tourism and community ventures," said ECN's Shaun Fagan.

"ECN is doing something new, different and holistic, aimed at uniting our town’s residents, visitors, businesses, tourism, community groups, schools and charities in refreshingly new, and totally digital, ways. And we’re working to make our High Street virtual; open up our many attractions to a wider audience and help our charities, community ventures and residents feel engaged, supported and motivated to strive for ever-better things.

"There’s plenty to sing about: heritage, tradition, funky festivals, fantastic food, ancient landscapes, prehistoric monuments, buzzing shops, can-do people and the most beautiful countryside you’d hope to find anywhere."

ECN uses a comprehensive digital platform to integrate its wealth of people, projects and enterprises, promoting innovative ventures in trade, tourism and the wider community. Information can be found and shared on social media and on any updates containing the #GBHighSt hashtag and everyone is asked to retweet, share and comment as much as possible.

The group is also issuing posters and stickers for shops and businesses to display. They are also asking traders to create window displays to show support and love for the town.

There will be a meeting on September 24 between 6pm and 8pm at Number 24 Cafe where people can find out more about getting involved.