THE village of Egerton near Ashford has failed to retain its Kent Village of the Year title but it will still go forward to represent the county in the national competition. The tiny village of Ashurst, with a population of 181, near the Kent-Sussex border took the coveted title.

But the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lord Kingsdown, has announced that it would be runner-up Egerton who would go forward to bid for the national award.

He explained that to qualify winners have to have entered all five sections of the county competition and that Egerton, winners in Millennium Year, were again the best all round community.

They were runners-up in sections looking at facilities and care for community life, older people, environmental action and business, and they were highly commended for their efforts for younger people.

Praising rural living, Lord Kingsdown said: "Life in towns does not have quite the same community feel where everyone can see the extent of the impressive efforts made by so many. This competition takes on the challenges of improving communities and we have seen impressive examples of success."

More than 170 delegates, representing 36 villages, were at the ceremony in Egerton village hall. The competition is organised by Kent Rural Community Council and is designed to help people help themselves to create thriving, diverse and sustainable communities in the county.

It provides an annual showcase for its role as Kent's Rural Voice as it encourages people to get involved in good practice in their local areas.

More than half those judged this year were entering for the first time, while others enter every year.

Section Winners were:

Young People: Large Villages - 1 St Margaret's at Cliffe, 2 Hadlow, Highly Commended, Smarden and Otford, commended, Ightham; Small Villages - 1 Pluckley, 2 Doddington, Highly Commended, Egerton and Hoath, Commended, Newchurch.

Environmental Action: Large Villages - 1 Otford, 2 St Margaret's at Cliffe, Highly Commended, Knockholt, Commended, Kings Hill and West Malling. Small Villages - 1 Ashurst, 2 Egerton, Highly Commended, Tyler Hill.

Older People: Large Villages - 1 Hamstreet and Orlestone, 2 Hadlow, Highly Commended, Smarden, Goudhurst, Otford, Knockholt, Ditton, Horsmonden, Minster, Commended, Hawkhurst. Small Villages - 1 Doddington, 2 Egerton, Highly Commended, Westwell, Fordwich.

Community Life: Large Villages - 1 Smarden, 2 Rolvenden, Highly Commended, Ditton, Leigh, Minster, and Otford, Commended, Crockenhill and Wilmington. Small Villages - 1 Ashurst, 2 Egerton, Highly Commended, Alkham, Bidborough, Bredhurst and Newchurch, Commended, Bekesbourne, Patrixbourne, Hartlip, Kilndown and Stockbury.

Business: Large Villages - 1 Chartham, 2 Minster, Highly Commended, Goudhurst and Horsmonden, Commended, Bearsted and Borough Green. Small Villages - 1 Smeeth, 2 Egerton, Highly Commended, Pluckley.