BANBURY'S bustling market square and eclectic shops have caught the eye of national judges who have shortlisted it in the Great British High Street awards.

The town was selected from more than 900 applicants alongside Hemel Hempstead and Blackburn to compete in the town centre category for 2016.

A share of a prize pot worth £100,000 for community projects is up for grabs and Banbury needs as many votes as possible to secure a win.

Kieron Mallon, the leader of Banbury Town Council, said: "There are many doom-mongers out there who proclaim the loss of the British high street.

"Here in Banbury we are clearly bucking the trend to be shortlisted for this prestigious award.

"Banbury is quite rightly seen as a regional retail centre and we offer the whole range, from small bespoke shops to the historical town centre to Castle Quay."

The Great British High Street competition celebrates work being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation's high streets.

The second contest last year saw 230 entries and attracted more than 200,000 public votes.

Oxfordshire is well-represented this year, with both Thame and Chipping Norton also shortlisted in the small market town category.

Andrew Percy MP, chairman of the government's Future High Streets Forum, said: "Our high streets are the live and soul of towns, villages and cities across the country.

"The record number of competition entries this year is proof of their continued importance to local life.

"There are bustling high streets up and down the country from North London to Northumberland and now is the time you can show support for your local area and get voting."

If Banbury wins local representatives will also get training from Google's digital taskforce to promote local shops, bars and restaurants as well as a visit to Twitter UK's London office to boost their social media skills.

The public can vote from now until November 18 on who should be crowned the winner.

For more information or to cast your vote visit thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk