STROUD has been named as one of the three greatest towns in the country.

Described as 'one of the more authentically gritty and industrial of the Cotswold towns', Stroud has been nominated in the Great Towns category for an Academy of Urbanism award.

The nomination brief reads: "Stroud has been regenerating itself ‘bottom-up’ in recent years, with some notable success. There is a strong community of independent shops and cafés, which provide the mainstay of the retail experience in the town.

"A farmers’ market was nominated for the national Farmers’ Market of the Year in 2001 and won it in 2007. The success of small businesses has, in recent years, caused a number of national retail chains to open outlets in the town. Stroud has a significant artistic community that dates back to the early part of the 20th Century."

The award is being presented by the prestigious Academy of Urbanism, which studies towns and cities.

Stephen Gallagher, communications co-ordinator at the academy, said: "Our aim is to identify the best practice among urban areas and we believe that we can learn from each town or city. The greatest teacher is the place itself and we have got a lot to learn from Stroud."

Formed in 2006 and based in London, the Academy of Urbanism consists of architects, town planners, designers and academics who vote each year on the greatest town in Britain and the Republic of Ireland and also on the best city.

An assessment panel compiles a shortlist of ten and that number is whittled down to a final three.

The Stroud and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce will be heading up the campaign to impress judges later in the year with support from Stroud District Council, Stroud Town Council and other organisations.

Also shortlisted are Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and Westport in Ireland.

The assessment team will visit Stroud in the coming months and meet with the regeneration team from SDC.

Results will be announced at an awards dinner on Friday, November 19.

Cllr Keith Pearson, SDC cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This nomination is testament to what a great market town Stroud is with its eclectic mix of shops and strong community spirit. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will win the top spot but to make the shortlist and gain national recognition is in itself a great achievement."