THE competition is hotting up in the battle to find the region's best community website.

More entries have been pouring in for the contest organised by CommuniGate, an initiative run by Newsquest North-East, publisher of The Northern Echo.

The top prize is £3,000, with two runners-up each collecting £1,000.

CommuniGate, which has helped more than 2,200 non-profit organisations create free websites, and Barclays have joined forces to set up the competition and dozens of nominations are arriving.

Sites are being judged on their content, usefulness and how effectively they promote their group or charity.

The latest nominees include Northallerton Mowbray Club, Lingdale and Its History, Aristocat Rescue, Darlington and District Scouts, Washington Camera Club and the Christian Friends of Israel in North-East England.

The competition is open to existing sites built through CommuniGate and those that will be established by the end of next month. Judging will begin in early December.

Anyone can nominate a site and entries should include its name, web address and reason for nomination. The closing date is November 30.

Entries can be sent to Karen Maughan, Newsquest NorthEast, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF or at www.communigate.co.uk/ne