TRADERS behind an award winning street in York are to be held up as a national example of high street champions.

Bishopthorpe Road was recently named as one of the best shopping parades in Britain in a nationwide competition, the GB High Street Awards, organised by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Finishing in the final three in the category, Bishy Road beat off competition from more than 150 streets across Britain.

As a result of the win, Bishy Road Traders Association chairman Johnny Hayes has been invited to share his experiences more broadly by acting as a Champion for High Streets Across the country.

Mr Hayes, who last week travelled to the Houses of Parliament to received Bishy Road's finalists' certification from High Streets minister Penny Mourdant, said: " I was very proud to accept this certificate for Bishopthorpe Road. We have had some great achievements this year. I am delighted that we have done so well in a national competition.

"This has definitely been the cherry on top of the cake for us this year.

"We have had so many achievements and awards in 2014. It has been an unbelievable year for our little street. We are all very proud of our achievements for our street and our community."

In his role as a Champion for High Streets, Mr Hayes will talk at several planned conferences in cities including Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester with three pilot conferences having been scheduled for new year.

The first pilot conference was held last week at Middlletons Hotel in York, and was attended by representatives from some of Yorks other local parades and retail centres, including Micklegate, Fossgate, Walmgate, Bishy Road and Acomb.

Mr Hayes said: "It has been a very busy couple of days, one day I was in Parliament receiving our certificate from the Minister and the following day I was speaking at this first Pilot Conference for Local Parades in York.

"The pilot conference was received very positively. People were very optimistic about the meeting and about possible futures for their local parades. It is hoped to follow up that initial meeting with a much larger event in the new year."

Bishy Road has previously hit the headlines for its Tour de France Street Party, for winning this year's Community Pride Service with a Smile award, and for the Traders Association's Christmas Lights switch on.