COMMUNITIES will be urged to work together to spruce up Davenham and Kingsmead this summer.

Davenham Parish Council has decided to enter the parish in the best kept village section of this year's Community Pride awards.

Clr John Curran said: "I think it's worth a punt because I think Davenham is a nice village and Kingsmead looks like a nice estate, particularly in the summer."

The council hopes to inspire villagers in both the Davenham and Kingsmead wards to keep their communities tidy.

Parish council chairman Clr Arthur Wood said: "The only trouble with this is that it isn't usually the best kept village that wins, it's usually the prettiest village.

"It's not sufficient for us just to pay the fee to enter, we would have to get a bit organised and tend to areas.

"It might help to get a bit of enthusiasm in the village for people to do their bit and keep the village tidy."

He added: "We need to couple entering the competition with making a determined effort to get the community involved."

Councillors have formed a working group to focus on the competition.

They are hoping to involve schools in the parish as well as groups and organisations like the Scouts.

Initial ideas include setting up a gardening competition for villagers and inspiring artistic youngsters to design a poster encouraging residents to keep Davenham and Kingsmead tidy.

The Community Pride competition is an annual contest organised by Cheshire Community Council and 2008 will see the competition reach its 52nd year.