A Hampshire village has been recognised for its community spirit at a county-wide awards ceremony.

The historic village of Southwick, near Portsmouth, was awarded Best Community Event in Hampshire for their 1940s-themed Southwick Revival "Spirit of D-Day" 80th Anniversary event held over the weekend of June 8 and 9.

The Village of the Year competition, organised by the Hampshire Association of Local Councils, features a number of prize categories.

Southwick was also awarded runners-up in the "Best Small Village" category.

These two awards reflect the efforts of the Revival Committee and local volunteers, and the cooperation of villagers who help manage the influx of visitors each year.

The event featured a vintage military convoy, military and cadet displays, tours of the D-Day Map Room at Southwick Park, and the Underground Communications HQ Tunnels at Fort Southwick.

Specialist talks, a church concert, 1940s tearooms, bands, and singers also featured.

Southwick was also awarded runners-up in the Best Small Village categorySouthwick was also awarded runners-up in the Best Small Village category (Image: Supplied)

For the first time, VIP visitors, descendants of the Allied Expeditionary Force wartime leadership, reminisced about their forebears in a hosted speaker session.

More information on the series of talks and ticket booking is available on the Southwick Speaks website: southwickrevival.co.uk/southwick-speaks.

Southwick Revival Committee chair, Martin Bazeley BEM said: "We are delighted to receive the Award for Best Community Event in the Village of the Year Awards and accept it on behalf of the whole of the Southwick Revival community of volunteers. Our plans are progressing for Southwick Revival 2025 to be held on 7th and 8th June 2025.

"Meanwhile our series of winter talks (Southwick Speaks) begins on Thursday 10th October at 7.00pm in the D-Day Memorial Hall with our notable guest speaker, Brigadier Neil Baverstock CBE, Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod in the British Parliament, we look forward to welcoming guests to this fascinating talk."