DYMOCK'S efforts to secure the Bledisloe Cup for Gloucestershire's best kept village have taken a big step forward.

The village has qualified for the second round in the small village category, having last won in 1973.

Judging takes place soon, there will be a third round in August, with the competition ending in early September.

The village's entry has been boosted by some of its youngest residents. Kay Maddox and Alicia and Christopher Burgess have been litter-picking in the play area since May. The Ann Cam School has also encouraged pupils not to drop litter and there have been donations of seven litter-pickers from Ledbury's Helping Hand company and 200 bin bags from Ledbury Preserves.

Dymock will be up against Ashleworth, Lower Slaughter, Box, Icomb, Elmore, Longborough and Blaisdon.

The village was also judged last week in the Calor Gloucestershire Village of the Year competition. The results will be announced on July 20.

n Ten electors have demanded a by-election following the resignation of David Prout from the parish council. This will be held on August 4 and will cost around £1,500.

n Plans for a village car park are closer to fruition, after three-cornered talks between the parish, district and county councils.

n The parish council has opposed plans by BT to close a phone box near the Horseshoe at Broomsgreen.

n Coun Dorothy Brooke plans to talk with the ambulance service about having a heart defibrillator stationed in the village and people trained to use it.