A YORK street has been nominated as one of the best in the country and needs public votes to win.

Bishopthorpe Road was a finalist in last year's Great British High Street competition, and has been shortlisted for the second time in the national vote.

The street was put forward for the competition by the Bishy Road Traders Association, and made the final shortlist of three top streets in the Local Centre category - alongside locations in Chester and Taunton.

Johnny Hayes is chairman of the traders association, and said the community was "overjoyed" to be shortlisted again, and the street was "in it to win it for York".

He said: "Since the competition last autumn it has been an incredible year for Bishy Road, with everything going from strength to strength. Our entry picked up on where we left off last year, so included the community help securing new Christmas lights, the Tour de Yorkshire street party and our first ever and very successful Food Festival.

"There is so much more happening in the coming months with our winter lights switch on ceremony, being part of the York Ice Trail and our annual Christmas card competition."

Traders are currently developing a Bishy Road app for smartphones, and urged locals to back the street by voting and by using the hashtag #GBHighSt while tweeting images and comments about Bishopthorpe Road to @TheGBHighSt Mr Hayes said: "The judges are looking for high streets that are linked closely to their communities and as that is what we try and do here. As the overall winner will be decided by a vote and social media activity, I hope that all of York’s residents and businesses will publicly back Bishy Road and vote for us."

Helmsley has also been shortlisted, up against Chipping Norton and Colne, in the Market Town category, and was praised by judges for its use of social media, getting local people and businesses on board, and events including a public knitting event.

The winners of the Great British High Street awards will be announced during November. To find out more or vote, go to thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk