Oxfordshire villagers were jubilant after being crowned winners in the annual Best Kept Villages competition.

The results of the competition, organised by the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC), were revealed at a special awards ceremony.

Steventon was the overall winner of the competition, following its success in the large villages category last year.

Parish council clerk Angela Einon said: "We were delighted, of course, and really surprised.

"We've entered most years and last year won the large villages category, but we didn't expect to be the overall winners. It's great."

Duns Tew won the small villages category of the competition, for the first time in more than 20 years.

Parish council clerk Christine Grover said the town council and villagers were thrilled.

"We last won it in 1984, though we've been placed since. We were absolutely amazed. It will be a real boost to the village.

"Every year we hold a village clean-up and the judging took place just after that, which must have helped. I think they were also impressed by our litch gate, outside the village church, which we put up for the Millennium," she said.

Clanfield was deemed the best kept medium sized village.

Parish councillor Brett Gaertner said: "It's great. The reason for us doing the competition is so the villagers take pride in the village.

"They said although there's a mixture of all kinds of houses, both old and new, you couldn't tell one section of the village apart from the other.

"It gives the appearance of being very well looked after.

"We notice every year the village is tidier, it shows everybody in the village is taking care.

"It's a lovely village to live in and this year the village looked good for a longer amount of time."

Villagers in East Hagbourne, which came second in the same category, were disappointed Clanfield pipped them to the post.

Parish council clerk Robin Parsley said: "It is always a little bit disappointing when you are not number one. A lot of hard work goes in and it's nice to have it recognised even if we did not win. The village always looks neat and tidy, there is strong support, everybody is interested in the competition."

Harwell won the prize for the best village in the large village category.

Margaret Turner, a parish councillor, said: "We are really chuffed.

"It's a tribute to our groundspeople and to all the people that see a piece of litter lying around and pick it up and do the odd bit of weeding around the war memorial.

"This is not the first time we have won and we are really pleased.

"We didn't even know they had come round to judge it, it was a genuine win and a lovely surprise. It's about what the village looks like on an ongoing basis.

"It's a lovely place to live, we have two large recreation grounds.

"There's a great community spirit."

Competition organisers ORCC said: "Judges had a difficult task selecting the winners from the original entrants, but it was also enjoyable because, as ever, standards were very high."

The competition was sponsored by Calor gas. Brian Challis, from the company, presented the winning villages with framed certificates at an awards ceremony in Holton Village Hall on Thursday night.

Calor is running another competition for the national village for the year. Judges will be looking for well-balanced, proactive, caring communities which, irrespective of size, have made the best of local opportunities to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

The gas company will give away £39,000 in total to the winners.