ALCESTER is bidding to have its high street crowned as the best in Britain.

The market town is being put forward for the Great British High Street 2018 by community group Visit Alcester, which is chaired by Town Centre Retail Partnership’s Sarah Bassett.

She said: “Back in 2015 we won the Rising Star award. We vowed then that if we got the chance to win the ‘champions of champions’ we would go for it.

“Having been through the process in 2015 and seeing the benefits of what winning the Rising Star award brought to Alcester in terms of opportunities we are now on the map, but we want to be on an even bigger map."

And Sarah believes the High Street has plenty to offer.

She said: “Alcester High Street is the heart of the community and is much loved.

“It is becoming more and more noticed as a tourist destination since becoming part of Shakespeare’s England.

“The majority of businesses are all independent and offer something unique with customer service at the heart.

“We have the twice yearly Alcester Food Festival and we now have the Alcester Motor Festival which was the first this year and excellent. We also have the Court Leet Street Market.”

Sarah, who has lived in Alcester for 22 years, has invited residents to help them come up with a 100-word submission on why Alcester’s High Street is Britain’s best. And residents are now fully behind the bid.

Ms Bassett said: “The retailers have all come together as a high street to collaborate on the bid and it has created a bigger sense of community.

“Everybody is behind it. The whole community cannot wait. The support has been extraordinary.”

Shortlisted finalists in the overall prize will be announced in September, although the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

They will then enter a public vote with the winner announced in November, also picking up to £10,000 for their local community.

Residents can support the bid on social media by writing "#MyHighStreet is @visitalcester because...".