A COUNCILLOR from Crewkerne is in the running to be crowned as the best district councillor in the country.

Cllr Jo Roundell Greene has been shortlisted in the District Councillor of the Year in the 2016 Councillor Achievement Awards by the Local Government Information Unit.

The seventh annual awards are the only national ceremony to honour the work of councillors from across the UK.

There were nearly 200 nominations this year and ten awards are up for grabs.

Cllr Roundell Greene said: “It’s a huge honour and I am absolutely delighted to be nominated on behalf of South Somerset District Council.

"Whilst I am pleased this is recognition for the council as a whole, I must thank those who I work with; at the end of the day it’s a team effort.”

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of LGiU said: “For the past seven years we have been showcasing the incredible work of councillors from across the country. Each year we are blown away by the calibre of entries, and this year is no different.

“The 2016 Cllr Achievement Awards shortlist is by far our best yet, surpassing all expectations. These councillors have tackled some of the toughest issues in the country and day in and day out are the ones that are making our communities better places to live.

“We are so pleased to honour their achievements and look forward to announcing the winners next month.”

The criteria for winning the District Councillor of the Year are: to have brought about positive change in their community as a direct result of their work, to be a committed advocate for their constituents, and to have strong relationships with community groups and council partners.

The other nine categories include County Councillor of the Year, Parish Councillor of the Year, Metropolitan Borough Councillor of the Year, Leader of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Young Councillor of the Year, Local Trust’s Community Collaborator Award, and the member’s choice Communicator of the Year.

Winners will be announced at the awards a ceremony, which takes place on Tuesday, November 1, in the Guildhall’s Livery Hall in London.

The winners will be selected by a group of judges made up of local government experts and councillors.