NARBERTH's shops and businesses have served up an impressive welcome to judges from the Great British High Street Awards.

The town's main street is one of only three in Wales nominated for the competition's Rising Star Award.

Businessman Michael Hughes, whose Tom Hughes shop is in a central position in the High Street, put Narberth's name forward on behalf of the town's Chamber of Trade.

He particularly wanted to highlight the efforts of the local consortium which has bought, and will be developing, Narberth's old primary school building for the benefit of the community and independent traders.

Together with Chamber chairman Andrew Rees and then town's county councillor, Vic Dennis, he met award judges on Tuesday.

Western Telegraph:

Above: Great British High Street award judges (second and third left) meet Narberth Chamber of Trade chairman Andrew Rees, local businessman Michael Hughes and county councillor Vic Dennis.

Said Councillor Dennis afterwards: "The High Street was looking absolutely fantastic and bustling and Pembrokeshire County Council delivered its promise to support Narberth's bid, carrying out extra weed-spraying and power-sweeping, so the town was sparkling.

"It's just a shame that the only High Street buildings under the umbrella of national organisations - namely the NatWest bank and the Angel Inn, which belongs to Brains - are now looking neglected."

Narberth is up against Cardigan and Cowbridge for the Rising Star Award in Wales. There are just 12 high streets in the whole of the UK shortlisted in this category.

The public vote counts for 30 per cent of entrants' marks - voting instructions can be found on www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk People can also show their support on social media using #MyHighStreet via TheGBHighSt The competition results are due to be announced in November.