CHIPPING Sodbury could be named market town of the year but the entry needs the public’s support.

Sodbury Chamber of Commerce is bidding to win the market town category in the first ever Great Britain High Street Awards. As well as the prestigious title, the prize includes a share of a £50,000 fund which can be used to further improve the town.

As the second widest High Street in the country and a wealth of free and fun events, the chamber believes Chipping Sodbury is in with a good chance of winning.

Chamber co-chairman Kate Richardson said: “We think that Chipping Sodbury deserves to be recognised nationally both for the shopping experience it provides and the quality and breadth of the independent retailers who make up the vast majority of traders.

“With a new weekly Friday and Saturday market in the Hatherell’s Yard area as well as the twice monthly farmers’ market, the town is carrying on centuries of market tradition.”

She said the recent success of the Sodbury Sheep Search, which saw 1,162 people complete a trail of the town to find 25 missing cuddly sheep over the school summer holidays, had helped give the town a boost.

Other events to be held in Chipping Sodbury’s High Street include the Sodbury Festival, a jazz and blues festival, a classic car run and the Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch in June, Victorian Evening and a crib festival in December, a bi-annual Mop fair each March and September and a beer festival in July. A food festival takes place across various shops and eateries next Saturday, September 27.

Kate added: “I feel the chamber is really pulling together and achieving, which will hopefully be inspiring the town and all its people.

"Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success."

Sodbury mayor Cllr Wendy Whittle has lent her support to the entry.

“I think Chipping Sodbury is a wonderful market town,” she said.

“As well as being an historic and beautiful town to walk around, we have so many great shops and places to eat as well as events such as this month’s food festival.

“I wish the chamber of commerce well with the competition and hope as many people as possible lend their support too.”

The competition has been launched by High Streets minister Brandon Lewis, in response to the recession of 2008 and its lengthy and far-reaching effects on High Streets up and down the country.

Mr Lewis said: “Whether it is a market town, coastal village or city centre, there are so many high streets across Britain doing fantastic work and now every community will be able to get behind their home town’s bid to show how popular they are.

“This competition will discover where the Great British high streets are and celebrate their brilliance. I want the public to tell my panel of experts why their area should win.”

People in Chipping Sodbury are being urged to take to Twitter and Facebook to endorse the town’s entry.

Send pictures, videos and comments throughout September and October using the hastags #GBHighSt and #Chippingsodbury on Twitter or search Visit Chipping Sodbury on Facebook.

Final judging will take place in November.