NORTHWICH is set to battle it out against 27 other towns in the UK to claim the title of the biggest ‘rising star’ high street in Britain.

Thoroughfares across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be judged by a panel of independent adjudicators for prizes in the Champion High Street and Rising Star categories, in the Great British High Street Awards.

English high streets shortlisted in the Champion High Street Category are Hitchin town Centre, Freeman Street in Grimsby and Belper in Derbyshire, alongside nine other towns from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

But Northwich has been shortlisted among a list of 28 British towns, to win the Rising Star award, identifying those which are taking the lead to ‘adapt and diversify’.

Other English towns fighting for the Rising Star award, include Wellington, in Telford, Rochdale, and Daventry, in Northamptonshire.

High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said: “Congratulations to the shortlisted nominees for this year’s Great British High Street Awards – the quality of the entries this year has been fantastic.

READ>'Everyone knew Nafe and everyone loved him'

“High streets make people happier, and people want to see their hard-earned cash supporting the local economy.

"That is why we are celebrating those that go above and beyond to keep their high streets thriving for generations to come.

“Inspiring high streets like these will play a key role in the Government’s vision to boost local growth and level up our regions.”

The announcement of the shortlist follows research commissioned by Visa, in partnership with the Great British High Street demonstrating the positive impact the local high street has on communities.

Seven in 10 consumers say shopping locally makes them feel happier, compared to shopping online or at a shopping centre - the main reason being that they know where their money is going.

Half of consumers also feel their high street gives them a sense of pride in their local community.

Spending time with friends and family (22 per cent) and offering a sense of community (21 per cent) were other reasons cited for why high streets make people happier.

Sundeep Kaur, head of UK and Ireland merchant services at Visa, said: “We’ve seen some fantastic entries for this year’s Great British High Street Awards across both the Champion High Street and Rising Star categories.

WATCH: Is this 1874 Northwich wonder-strike the goal of the season already?

“In particular, the desire to innovate stands out among this year’s entries, with high streets adapting to the challenges presented by a rapidly changing retail environment to find ways to thrive at a local level.

“As our research shows, high streets play a vital role at the heart of communities, so this is a great opportunity for those communities with shortlisted high streets to show their support by placing their votes on the Great British High Street website.”

Members of the public can vote for their favourite finalist at thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk, with the public vote accounting for 20 per cent of the final scoring.

The winners will be crowned at an Awards ceremony in November.

Shortlisted high streets – Champion High Street category

England

1. Hitchin Town Centre, Hitchin

2. Freeman Street, Grimsby

3. Belper Town, Belper

Scotland

4. Turriff High Street, Turriff

5. Prestwick Main Street, Prestwick

6. Alness High Street, Ross-Shire

Wales

7. Narberth High Street, Narberth

8. Swansea High Street, Swansea

9. Treorchy High Street, Treorchy

Northern Ireland

10. Newtownards High Street, Newtownards

11. Enniskillen Town Centre, Enniskillen

12. Bow Street, Lisburn

Shortlisted high streets – Rising Star category

England

1. Wellington, Telford

2. Daventry Town Centre, Northamptonshire

3.Northwich Town Centre, Cheshire

4. Willesden Green, London Borough of Brent

5. Sir Isaacs Walk & Eld Lane, Colchester

6. Rochdale Town Centre, Rochdale

7. Dalton Road, Barrow in Furness

8. Yarm High Street, Stockton-on-Tees

9. Tankerton High Street, Whitstable

10. Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch

Scotland

11. Aberfoyle Main Street, Aberfoyle

12. Kempock Street, Gourock

13. Falkirk High Street, Falkirk

14. Lanark High Street, Lanark

15. Cowdenbeath High Street, Cowdenbeath

16. King Street, Castle Douglas

17. The Square, Kelso

Wales

18. Palace Street, Caernarfon

19. Carmarthen Town, Carmarthen

20. Llanelli, Llanelli

21. Mold High Street, Flintshire

22. Triangle House, Welshpool

23. Pembroke High Street, Pembroke

24. Caldicot Town Centre, Monmouthshire

Northern Ireland

25. Armagh City Centre, Armagh

26. Newry High Street, Newry

27. Broughshane Street, Ballymena

28. Carrickfergus High Street, Carrickfergus