FARNHAM Town Council has been named one of the top three councils in the country - and is in the running to win the top prize later this month.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) announced the finalists for its Star Councils Awards on October 4, shortlisting Farnham Town Council for the Council of the Year alongside Halewood Town Council in Merseyside and Helston Town Council, Cornwall.

NALC Star Councils 2017 Awards recognises the hard work undertaken by parish and town councils, local councillors and council officers across Britain.

Notable examples considered by the judging panel include how Farnham Town Council has increased income from sponsorship by 300 per cent over three years and volunteering hours by 40 per cent, enabling it to enhance its annual programme of 40-plus free events and activities.

In the past year alone, the town council has steered the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan to adoption, scooped multiple gold awards at the South and South East in Bloom Awards and co-hosted the town’s first ever gin festival.

Responding to the news, Farnham town clerk Iain Lynch said: “We are honoured to have been shortlisted for Council of the Year. It’s a great testament to the hard work of all the staff, councillors, and the local community who put in so much to make Farnham a fantastic place in which to live and work.

“We are constantly striving to do better and being shortlisted by our peers is great recognition.”

The winners in each category will be announced at the Star Councils 2017 Awards Ceremony at the NALC Annual Conference in Milton Keynes on October 30.