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Marlow is in the running to be named the greatest High Street in Britain in a government-run competition to celebrate the best the nation has to offer.

It is one of the first towns to be put forward for the prize – in the small market town category – after being nominated by well-known town figure Mike Hyde, who runs Marlow Museum.

The south Bucks town is among the first fifty applicants in the national celebration of communities’ efforts to revitalise their towns and villages – with the winner to receive £10,000 prize money.

Organisers agreed that the hard work that goes into everything from the Town Regatta and Festival to Marlow Carnival, the late-night Christmas shopping events and even the bunting and hanging baskets, warrants Marlow a shot at the title.

Mr Hyde said: “Marlow is an attractive riverside town with a charming but very busy High Street.

“It has a mix of small shops and always seems to keep up to date with modern retail experiences yet retains a local feel to meet demand from residents and visitors.

“Fingers crossed our application will be successful so Marlow will get its name recognised as a great place to live, shop and work.”

Now in its third year, the competition celebrates the work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets.

Alongside the cash prize, Google is offering all category winners a visit from The Digital Garage on Tour – a skills training workshop for retailers and small businesses.

Entries will be reviewed by the Government and a shortlist will be announced in October.

After that, the top three shortlisted in each category will battle it out in a public vote to be crowned Britain’s best high street.

Last year, more than 230 places across the UK entered, with more than 200,000 public votes being counted.

High Streets Minister Andrew Percy said: “Last year’s competition was a massive success, helping to showcase the very best high streets across the country, with thousands of votes cast and winning high streets reporting an increase in shoppers.

“Our local high streets remain the life and soul of towns, villages and cities across the country and I’d encourage as many of them as possible to enter this year’s competition before the closing date.”