The historic Railway Village is in the running to win the Civic Voice trophy for the best loved Conservation Area in England.

Author of Secret Swindon, Angela Atkinson is urging fans to vote for the Railway Village, built in the 19th century for workers on the Great Western Railway.

"Shortlisted by the national Civic Voice movement from a field of 249, Swindon’s Railway Village is garnering great support for election as England’s favourite conservation area," she said. "The village is wavering between second and third place with Lichfield ahead and Stamford snapping at its heels. To take the trophy at the national Civic Voice conference next weekend, Swindon needs you to keep voting, before it closes on Sunday."

In 1841, the Great Western Railway Company began construction work on their new engineering works and housing was needed for the workers. It was designated a Conservation Area in 1975.

Laura Sandys, vice-president of Civic Voice said: "As well as encouraging people to nominate and vote, we want to raise awareness of the importance of our conservation areas and call on more communities to celebrate, our rich and varied heritage."

To vote, visit bigconservationconversation.com/vote-for-ca. Click on the aerial photo of the Railway Village, then click on the love heart in the right-hand corner.