Hoole may have missed out on being crowned Britain's best high street but judges were so impressed that they created a special prize just for them.

The community was one of three streets in the country who made the shortlist for the best Local Centre in the country in the Great British High Street Awards, but they were pipped to the post by Bishopthorpe Road in York in an awards ceremony today at Admiralty House in London (Monday November 30), despite being in the lead recently.

But judges said because the standard of entries this year was of such high quality, they had to create a new prize of Outstanding Newcomer, which they awarded to Faulkner Street, Hoole.

More than 200,000 votes were cast across seven categories, and 230 high streets entered the Google-sponsored awards, which were judged half by the public vote and half by expert judges from the Future High Streets Forum who spent time in the area recently.

High Streets Minister Marcus Jones said: “The excitement this competition has generated with a huge level of interest from the public vote is proof that the high streets are the life and soul of towns, villages and cities across the country.

“Over the last year investment in property is up 30%, town centre vacancy rates have fallen to under 10% and retail sales have increased for the longest period on record – long may it continue."

Sue Mason from local community group Notting Hoole who were the driving force behind Hoole's application, said: "Hoole won Best Newcomer, a category made just for us because of our passion, humour and heart throughout the competition and demonstration of outstanding achievements over a short period of time.

"By working with both independents and national retailers and our commitment to growing the evening economy, the team have put Hoole on the map. We are thrilled with our success and can't thank everyone for your support throughout the campaign."

The full list of winners are:

City Location – Winner St Giles Street, Northampton
Town Centre – Winner Rotherham
Market Town – Winner Helmsley
Coastal Community – Winner Amble
Local Centre – Winner Bishy Road, York
Village – Winner West Kilkbride

Outstanding Newcomer - Faulkner Street, Hoole
London – Winner Pitshanger Lane, Ealing

Bishopthorpe Road was named the overall winner of winners.