VOTING figures released this week show West Kilbride is riding high in the public vote to crown it best British village high street.

Two weeks into the six-week voting period, rankings released by the Great British High Street Competition haves revealed West Kilbride high street is currently in first place.

But with four weeks to go until voting closes, that could all change.

Winners in each of the seven categories will get a share of a prize pot worth £80,000, which includes expert training and tailor-made tips from Google’s training taskforce for 100one hundred of their shops, bars and restaurants.

With the public vote making up 50 per cent of the final decision, the team behind West Kilbride high street are urging local people to get behind their bid for glory.

Kay Hall, chairwoman of Craft Town Scotland, said: “We’ve been delighted with the level of support we’ve received since our shortlisting was announced.

“It’s a real boost to the village – a great team of people who are passionate about their community have worked together and achieved fantastic results.

“While st we may be ahead, we recognise the tough competition in the other villages of Brigg and Twyford – so we’re encouraging everyone out there to keep on voting for West Kilbride once a day until November 13.”

The Great British High Street Competition 2015 is run by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Now in its second year, it and is one of a number of initiatives to help champion high streets as the cornerstones of the community.

These include a billion-pound package of investment ranging from targeted business rate discounts, sensible planning changes and action that reins in over-zealous parking practices.

This year’s competition has a record 230 applicants and now, for the first time, this year, the public has the chance to vote directly for their best-loved high street online.

Between now and November the public can cast their vote for free via thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk or online via Facebook.

Already two weeks in, nearly 50,000 votes have been cast.

Alongside the public vote, each finalist will be visited by an expert judge – one of a panel of industry experts from the Future High Streets Forum.

The judges have a 50 per cent say on who wins the competition.

The 21 finalists for the Great British High Streets competition were announced on 1 October 1. Voting will closes on November 13.