BBC's Countryfile Magazine names Bishop's Castle in top 10

The Shropshire town of Bishop's Castle has been named as one of the top 10 market towns in Britain by the BBC's Countryfile Magazine.

The town is included on the 10-location shortlist for the Best Market Town in Britain title in the first awards run by the magazine.

It was praised by the magazine, which accompanies the hit television show, for its picturesque architecture and landscape.

Authors of the list, compiled using information from Lonely Planet, said: "No trace remains of the castle, but instead you'll find Old Mother Hubbard cottages and timbered townhouses."

Bishop's Castle is one of the lesser-known places on the list, which includes popular tourist hotspots such as Alnwick in Northumberland, Arundel in West Sussex and Stow on the Wold in Oxfordshire.

Mayor Keith Pinches today said he thought the judges were likely to have been impressed by the "laid-back atmosphere" of the south Shropshire town.

He said: "Anything like this is good for the town and tourists are quite important to a little place like Bishop's Castle so this is good news."

A magazine spokesman said: "Now we need your help to choose the winners."

To vote for Bishop's Castle, or any of the other nominated market towns, visit the website www.countryfile.com/awards