TWO market towns in Oxfordshire have been shortlisted for a prestigious high street award.

Chipping Norton and Thame are among the final three locations in the small market town category of the Great British High Street Awards 2016.

The public can now vote in the competition up until November 18, with the winner of each group receiving a prize of £10,000 at an awards ceremony later this year.

Chippy and Thame will go against Hebden Bridge, in Yorkshire, as they attempt to top the small market town group.

Chipping Norton mayor Michael Tysoe said it was welcome recognition of how the town had improved its offering in recent years.

He said: "I have been here 17 years, after coming as an outsider, and have to say Chipping Norton is a lovely place to live.

"It has a vibrant community and there is an awful lot going on too.

"I hope as many people as possible can vote for us, because it is going to be a battle of the giants."

He praised tourism company Experience Chipping Norton for the work it has done promoting the town's high street and said the town council was also pleased with other improvements around the town.

Mr Tysoe said: "There is always more that can be improved, but we sincerely hope things are better now.

"We have put an enormous amount of effort into it and this sort of thing does take time."

The community in Thame were equally delighted to make it to the final three of the competition, following on from its success last year in which it was one of ten towns in the country to gain a ‘Rising Star’ award.

The Thame town bid team is coordinated by Sonja Francis and Helen Johns.

In a joint statement they said: “We’re proud that Thame is one of Britain’s best high streets and hope this will be a real boon for the town.

“We’re pulling out all the stops to make sure local people know about Thame’s shortlisting. Now we just need everyone to show their support and get voting.”

This year’s Great British High Street Awards have gained more attention than ever.

According to competition bosses, 900 entrants have competed in the market town category but a new divide between small and large market town could prove beneficial for towns like Chipping Norton and Thame, which are in a category for areas with populations of less than 10,000.

Mr Tysoe said previously the voting system had meant bigger towns were more likely to win because of their larger populations.

To cast your vote visit thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.