VILLAGERS in Great Bentley were today celebrating after it was crowned Village of the Year 2013.

The competition run by the Rural Community Council of Essex aimed to seek out the jewel in the crown of the country's villages.

And three north Essex villages were honoured with top prizes.

Great Bentley won the overall titles while Brightlingsea and Alresford were winners in best kept village categories.

Great Bentley is famous for having the largest village green in the country, but judges in this year’s RCCE competition said it was community groups, events and conservation which saw it scoop the coverted title.

RCCE director Nick Shuttleworth paid tribute to Great Bentley, describing it as "a vibrant, enterprising and caring village."

  • Read a full round up of the three villages and the competition in a Gazette special today.