HALSTEAD has missed out on the finals of a competition to be crowned one of Britain’s best High Streets.

Twenty-one towns made it into the Great British High Street competition’s final round, although none were from Essex.

It was the first year Halstead has entered the competition, which has a prize pot of £80,000.

Town Team chairman Gilly Ryan said: “I do feel a little bit low but I think what we got to say is we are really proud of the High Street.

“It’s a fabulous place to be. Some of the projects we are doing are still in the early days.

“We are really proud of our retailers and traders and it’s always a good exercise to do things and keep moving forward.

“There is always next year. If you believe in yourself it’s just about telling others that you believe and you are proud of what you do.

“Well done to all of them because they obviously worked really hard on their entries.”

Halstead entered the Market Town category but were beaten Chipping Norton, Helmsley, and Colne, in Yorkshire.

The winners in each category will get a share of the prize money and expert training for one hundred of their shops, bars and restaurants.