CONSTANTINE has been awarded with the regional prize for the Business Calor Village of the Year for England competition.

On Thursday representatives from the village gathered at the Tolmen Centre to celebrate the success and receive the £500 cash prize and a commemorative certificate from Calor.

Bob Mynett, who, with many others, helped to secure the award, said: "We submitted a written report to the judges about Constantine and as soon as we had heard we had got through the first round villagers and representatives from organisations and businesses in the village rallied round and a wonderful display in the Tolmen Centre for the judges to see.

"Everybody who has anything to with the village got involved and their were displays from the village choirs, Constantine Silver Band, the WI, the Cottage Gardens Society and all of the businesses and many more.

"It really is great for Constantine and it just shows that there is a lot going on here. Everyone helped to get this award and there is a real sense of pride in the village."

Jerry Kennard of Calor said: "As the winner of a category award for business, Constantine had clearly demonstrated itself as a village full of community spirit with a positive outlook and bags of enthusiasm.

"It is great to have this opportunity to join with residents and celebrate the village's achievements and I would like to thank them for their hospitality and the warm welcome I received."

Liz Moore, who has also been instrumental in making Constantine a winning village said that the £500 prize would go towards producing a village map as part of the parish plan.