A VILLAGE has won a top award as part of the Tidy Britain campaign.

Heighington has won the County Durham Tidy Village competition after years of entering the contest.

The village has been presented with a sign marking its achievement, which was unveiled on the village green at the weekend.

Villager Ann Le Druillenec said: "It was a real community effort.

"We have had certificates and been highly commended in the past, but this is the first year we have won the competition."

The sign will stay in place until next year, when the villagers will try to retain the title