CHIPPING Norton has been pipped to the post in a competition to find the nation's best market town.

Up to last week the town's hard-working business owners and residents were leading the pack with Chippy in pole position until the end. Instead it was awarded highly commended in the market town category of the 2015 Great British High Street Awards, missing out on the crown to rival town Helmsley, in North Yorkshire. Colne, in Lancashire came in third.

Chipping Norton’s bid was put together by Experience Chipping Norton, a volunteer town and commerce team whose chairman Shaun Fagan remained upbeat despite their narrow defeat.

He said: "We’re obviously disappointed as we worked so hard and were so close to winning. But reaching the shortlist and being highly commended in our category is a huge achievement which will give us confidence to take our town forward and keep striving to improve our business and community life.

"A big thank-you to our ECN members and volunteers along with all the local residents and traders who voted for us and supported our campaign."

High Streets Minister Marcus Jones added: “The excitement this competition has generated with a huge level of interest from the public vote is proof that high streets are the life and soul of towns, villages and cities across the country.

“Over the last year investment in property is up 30 per cent, town centre vacancy rates have fallen to under 10 per cent and retail sales have increased for the longest period on record – long may it continue.

“Chipping Norton deserves the very highest praise for being a finalist in this year’s Great British High Street Awards.

“Their innovative ideas and hard work on the ground really made them stand out and we’ll be sharing their excellent example to help others learn from their success.”

The Great British High Street Awards 2015 is run by the Department for Communities and Local Government and sponsored by Boots, Costa, Post Office, Marks and Spencer, Tesco and the British Council of Shopping Centres

The competition, which is in its second year, attracted 230 entries from across the UK. A total of 21 finalists - three from each category - were shortlisted to take part in a six-week campaign to attract the highest number of votes on the Great British High Street website.

Each town received a visit from the judges, and were given two hours to show off their achievements.

Award winners were announced at a ceremony at Pall Mall’s Admiralty House.