THE village of Selborne has been awarded regional category prizes for Business and the Environment in the 2006/7 Calor Village of the Year for England competition. Having won the Hampshire 2006 title, Selborne this year found itself competing with six other villages and triumphed in the "Business and Environment" category prizes, following the submission of a written entry and a two-hour visit by competition judges. The competition was launched in 1996 and is now a prestigious annual event for villages, nominated to represent their county. More than 40 villages took part in the 2006/7 event, split into fives areas for judging purposes. As the Business and Environment winner for the South England area, Selborne will be presented with £1,000 prize money and framed commemorative certificates. A presentation will take place in the village during August or September. The comnpetition judges remit is for a "well- balanced, pro-active, caring communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents". There is a thriving business community in Selborne. Commenting on Selborne's success, competition manager, Suzanne Weir, said: "Our congratulations go to Selborne. "The judges have seen some excellent examples of flourishing, vibrant and thriving village communities in the 2006/7 competition so to be successful in the competition is a great achievement." The competition bid was fronted by the Selborne Bellringers whose tower captain, Rachel Barber, was responsible for the written copy. She said: "It is fantastic to receive recognition of all the hard work local businesses put in to employ local people. "A lot of people give a lot of their time to looking after the village and it is great that they have been recognised. It proves what a caring community Selborne is."