The County Armagh village has won a Best Kept Award ten times since 1960 in both the Small and Large Village categories, but has never won the overall title of Northern Ireland's Best Kept Town, which is dubbed 'The Best of the Best'.

Richhill was joined on the podium at Tuesday's awards ceremony by representatives from Loughgall, who claimed an award for Best Kept Small Village while Clounagh Park in Portadown was named the Best Kept Medium Housing Area and went on to take the Ellen McGowan Award for the NI Housing Executive entry with the highest score.

The annual awards scheme is organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council (NIAC) and sponsored by SuperValu.

The awards were pioneered in the 1950s and over the past fifty years thousands of towns and villages have earned recognition for their work to protect and improve the environment.

Doreen Muskett MBE, president of NIAC, said Richhill deserved to win the overall crown.

She said, "Richhill is a very attractive and clean village which is further enhanced by its wonderful floral displays."
Armagh City and District councillor, Jim Speers, congratulated both Richhill and Loughgall on their successes.

He said, "These fully-deserved awards are a tribute to the community groups of both villages and the local people. Together these groups, the residents and the businesses play a very active part in making Richhill and Loughgall highly attractive for locals and visitors alike.

"The sponsors, too, deserve credit for all their support."
Neville Woods, owner of the SuperValu store in Richhill, said he was pleased for the entire community.

He said, "As a local SuperValu store we are proud to be a partner in the Best Kept Awards and we would like to congratulate Richhill, Loughgall and Clounagh Park and all of the 2008 winners on their commitment to enhancing their local environment.

"Our store is based at the heart of the local community and we are keen to support the awards by encouraging local participation, so that more towns, villages and housing areas can become Best Kept winners in the future."

Winning towns and villages were presented with a personalised sign, a park bench made from recycled materials and a monetary donation towards their environmental endeavours.

Winners of the Best Kept Housing Area Awards received a Best Kept sign.
The SuperValu Best Kept Awards acknowledge community projects that tackle environmental issues and encourage planting schemes, recycling and wildlife conservation.

Entrants are judged on a number of criteria, including the absence of litter, fly-posting and graffiti.

Information about the SuperValu Best Kept Awards can be obtained from NIAC on 028 9040 3681 or online at www.niacbestkept.com