IT was a celebration village life across Hampshire.

At a presentations evening held at the Enham Trust in the Test Valley local villages from all over the county showcased their projects, activity and inspirational individuals at an event hosted by the organiser Steven Lugg, chief executive of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils.

Representatives from Lyndhurst in the New Forest were surprised and honoured to receive the coveted title of Village of the Year, while many other awards were highlighted.

South Wonston won the best village hall category In a new ‘Masterclass’ category Grayshott from East Hampshire and Bembridge, Isle of Wight, will be given separate awards at individual presentations to mark their ‘Champion of Champions’ status.

Ferris Cowper from Grayshott and George Bisson, pictured, from Lyndhurst Parish Council were given ‘Inspirational Individual’ awards, marking a lifetime of achievement to their villages VIP attendees included the Mayor of Test Valley Karen Hamilton, Fred Turner, Head of Operations in the Tenanted Division of Competition Sponsors Fuller’s Brewery and chief executive of the Enham Trust, Peta Wilkinson.

Mr Lugg congratulated all finalists and challenged citizens to surpass themselves again in 2017, explaining that this competition is a shining beacon of Localism, where outcomes far outweigh the inputs through local planning and endeavour.

The 2017 competition opens in January 2017.

Village of the Year (VOY) is a long established competition supporting, encouraging and celebrating our rural communities.

Village communities are self-defining; if the community considers it lives in a village, it is eligible to enter VOY.

Previous winners include Joint Winners of 2015- Bembridge (Isle of Wight) and Enham Alamein (Test Valley), Bembridge (Isle of Wight) 2014, Bentworth (East Hampshire) 2013, Vernham Dean (Test Valley) 2012, Bishops Sutton (Winchester) 2011 and North Waltham (Basingstoke and Deane) 2010.