Great Dunmow has a chance to win £10,000 in the Great British High Street Award.

The Town Team submitted an entry to the national competition this week, in the hopes of winning the prize money and spend it on developing the town.

As MP for the constituency Sir Alan Hazelhurst has endorsed the entry, saying that “through hard work and creativity [the Town Team] have re-established Dunmow as a convivial and attractive place to visit.

“Their clever initiatives and collaboration shows how the high street can adapt and prosper.”

The application, which had to include how the town has overcome obstacles in creative ways, spoke about the parking scheme and new Shop Local initiative, as well as future plans for the high street.

It also mentioned Dunmow’s Christmas celebrations - choirs, dance groups, lights, and this year, an ice rink on the High Street.

Anna Harvey, Town Team member and owner of Scarlett and Stone - The Beauty Experts, said: “we love where we live and we love the people who shop here and we want to keep Dunmow thriving.

“If we won this award it would be amazing and it would prove what everybody here already knows about Dunmow.

“Great Dunmow’s strength lies in the shopping experience, knowing our customers by name, how they take their coffee, even pre-ordering products we know they will want. It makes us an integral part of the local community.

“Fingers crossed our entry will be shortlisted and, with the enthusiasm of our traders and the support of the residents, we truly believe we have the support to win.”

Last year Bishy Road bagged the title and this year the finalists will be announced in mid-October.

A category new to 2016, ‘high street hero’, means high streets can nominate individuals - such as store managers, employees and market traders.

It is judged partly by judges and partly by voting from the public. To support the application, use the hastag #GBhighst.