STAPLEHURST has been named Kent's Village of the Year.

It scored the highest out of 39 villages in the county in five categories-- community life, business, older people, younger people and the environment--to claim the title.

Other winners in the annual competition will be announced at a presentation ceremony at Harrietsham Village Hall on Tuesday, September 9.

The competition is sponsored by Calor, Kent Reliance Building Society and BBC Radio Kent.

Staplehurst will now compete in the national Calor Village of the Year competition against 40 other regional winners. The top prize is £6,000.