A NATIONAL gong for Chipping Norton is in sight as shops and businesses gear up for a "battle of the giants".

The town has been nominated in the Great British High Street Awards 2016, making it into a final shortlist of three locations.

In the small market town category, it is also up against Hebden Bridge, in Yorkshire, and Oxfordshire rival Thame.

The public can vote for their favourite in a poll that opened yesterday.

It runs until November 18, with the winner receiving a prize of £10,000 at an awards ceremony later this year.

Chipping Norton mayor Michael Tysoe said it was welcome recognition of how the town had improved its offering in recent years.

The councillor added: "I have been here 17 years, after coming as an outsider, and have to say Chipping Norton is a lovely place to live.

"It has a vibrant community and there is an awful lot going on too.

"I hope as many people as possible can vote for us, because it is going to be a battle of the giants."

He praised Experience Chipping Norton for the work it has done promoting the town's high street and said the town council was also pleased with other improvements around the town.

Mr Tysoe said: "There is always more that can be improved, but we sincerely hope things are better now.

"We have put an enormous amount of effort into it and this sort of thing does take time."

It is the second time in a row Chipping Norton has made it to the final stages, after it came second to Helmsley in Yorkshire last year.

The town was nominated for its "trailblazing approach to promoting a digital high street", judges said.

A description added: "Despite what the media says, it’s a much-loved community hub, brimming with personality."

Experience Chipping Norton chairman Shaun Fagan said this had involved bringing in a new website and promotions through social media.

He added: "Experience Chipping Norton continues to evolve and we’re focused on delivering real outcomes for our community which showcase Chippy as a great place to live, work and visit."

This year’s Great British High Street Awards have gained more attention than ever.

According to competition bosses, 900 entrants have competed in the market town category but a new divide between small and large market town could prove beneficial for towns like Chipping Norton, which is in a category for areas with populations of less than 10,000.

Mr Tysoe said previously the voting system had meant bigger towns were more likely to win because of their larger populations.