RESIDENTS across the district are being encouraged to pull together in keeping their homes and gardens neat and tidy as judging gets under way for this year's Best Kept Village and Small Town Competition.

The first round of judging is due to start next month and second round contenders will be considered in July with the winners being decided following the third and final round in August.

Seven villages from the Sleaford area are taking part in the 2009 event, which is broken down into five categories.

Osbournby and Swaton have entered Class One of the competition (for villages with a population of 100-500); Bassingham, Leasingham, Scopwick and Kirkby Green are under consideration in Class Two (villages with the number of residents from 501-2,000); Heckington is fighting it out in Class Three (for villages with a population of 2,001-7,000); while Silk Willoughby will join seven other entrants from across the county in the Past Winners' Class.

There are no entrants from the Sleaford area in the fifth category for Small Market Towns (with a population of up to 7,000).

The competition is organised by Teresa Palmer, of Community Lincs.

It is run in partnership with the Lincolnshire Branch of Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), with sponsorship from the county's district and borough councils, Lincolnshire County Council and Pennells Garden Centres.

Teresa said: "Once again the number of entries shows the people of Lincolnshire take pride in their soundings, working together to create a pleasing environment in which to live.

"Lincolnshire's competition continues to be the most successful in the country."

A team of 47 volunteer judges will travel hundreds of miles around the county, visiting all 121 competing villages and small market towns.

For more information, call Teresa on (01529) 302466 or e-mail teresa.palmer@ communitylincs.com