A SHORTLIST of entries for this year’s Yorkshire Village of the Year has been announced.

Fifteen villages will vying for the title.

They are Addingham, Boston Spa, Brompton by Sawdon, Clapham, Draughton, Grosmont, Hudswell, Ingleton, Keld, Langcliffe, Litton, Roberttown, Skelton on Ure, West Witton and Grassington.

Entries were sought from rural villages across the county for the competition, launched by The Dalesman magazine, in association with Skipton Building Society.

The aim of the competition is to celebrate rural Yorkshire and support, encourage and promote the county’s rural communities.

The panel of judges - Emmerdale star Claire King, Yorkshire Shepherdess and author Amanda Owen, ITV weatherman Jon Mitchell, the Yorkshire Vet Julian Norton, poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan, Jacqui Bateson of Skipton Building Society, and Adrian Braddy, editor of Dalesman, will now consider the shortlist of entries and choose a winner, based on evidence of enterprise, initiative and community spirit, as well as how the village is cared for by its residents.

The winning village will receive the accolade ‘Yorkshire Village of the Year 2019’ and will receive a cheque for £1,000 to spend on a worthwhile community project.