JUDGES for this year's Gwent Best Kept Village competition are now starting their busy schedule of judging entrants.

A total of 38 villages - one up on last year - are competing in this year's Calor-sponsored event, organised by Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO).

Organiser John Sterry said: "I am delighted that the number of entries have gone up and that we have maintained our strong core of support from rural communities in Gwent.

"This demonstrates the popularity of the competition and that many villages like to show how much they care for their surroundings and quality of community life.

"The judging is a crucial part of the competition. We have three enthusiastic husband and wife teams who judge the villages and two judges with a great deal of educational knowledge who look at the schools' entries. Our judges, who give their time voluntarily, are really the unsung heroes of the competition.

"So, if villagers notice some strangers in their communities in the coming days, making notes, it is a fair bet that it is one of our judging teams. We have advised our judges that grass cutting by local authorities is again subject to financial limitation and the preservation of flora and fauna. Pubs will also be judged, but for external appearance only."

There are four main categories to the competition - Best Hamlet, population categories 51-350, 351 to 1,000 and over 1,000. Winners of each category will receive £80 each and winners of Best Village Hall, Best Churchyard, Most Improved categories and highly commended villages within the population groups will each receive £30.

Schools from junior and primary schools within villages that have entered are being judged on the external upkeep of the grounds, the care of plants and trees and presence of conservation and study areas.

Results will be announced at an awards evening at County Hall, Cwmbran, on September 12.

A village will also be selected to represent Gwent in the Calor Village of the Year for England and Wales. This competition will be contested by more than 40 villages.

VILLAGES competing for the title of Gwent Best Kept Village competition are: Hamlets: Mounton, Kingcoed, Skenfrith, Wilcrick. 51-350 population: Llangw, Coed y Paen, Kilwrrg, Tredunnock, Lower Machen, Llanvanches, Pwllmeyric, Llangua, Llanvetherine, Llanfair Discoed, Llanmartin, Itton, Lanfihangel for y Mynydd, Redwick, Llandevaud, Bishton. 351-1,000 population: Penhow, Sudbrook, St Arvans, Llanellen, Mathern, Grosmont, Devauden, Llandogo. Over 1,000 population: Raglan, Bassaleg, Rhiwderin, Ponthir, Portskewett, Magor and Undy, Rogiet, Langstone, Underwood.