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SMS messaging is being used to determine St Albans and Harpenden's retailer of the year.

Retailers can be nominated in one of six categories in the competition being run by the St Albans & Harpenden Review, and this week it is focussing on the best market traders.

All traders are eligible to win, from regular stall holders to specialist sellers.

Retailers can be nominated by texting SMS number 80360 with the name and address of a business, with messages costing 25p.

Last year's competition was won by Stanley Green's Fabrics, which was selected from a shortlist including Grove Fruits, Sycamore Health Food and Nuts, Russell Crombie's Records and The Cheesewheeler.

Mr Green told the newspaper that he was "all for" the awards.

"It's a nice way of expressing how you feel about the town," he commented.

Those using SMS messaging to text in their nominees can do so until May 14th.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth newspaper The News is using SMS messaging in a competition offering a pair of tickets to Pompey's home clash against Chelsea.