A GROUP of Gower families have every reason to celebrate after proving that home really is where the heart is.

And the sterling efforts of the Llanmadoc clan have been richly awarded — with the village being judged the best in South Wales.

The judges heaped praise on the village's community spirit, commended their trips for pensioners and highlighted their "can do" attitude.

Ivor Williams, who was one of the team members behind the award bid, said everyone was thrilled to bits with the achievement.

He said: "Everyone I have spoken to is delighted. They're over the moon.

"It's something that recognises what has gone on in Llanmadoc for a very long time.

"We are a very outward looking community — we raise money for charity and are very conscious of our environment and the need to look after things.

"Also the group of people we have here are highly committed."

The group's sterling efforts to make sure Llanmadoc was spick and span for the judges was rewarded with the title of 2009 Calor Village of the Year for South Wales.

Mr Williams said the community was punching above its weight in the competition but could not quibble with the judge's decision on the overall winners.

The judges said: "This is a village with great community spirit and a 'can do' attitude.

"We were particularly impressed by the very active seniors group offering a range of activities including overseas holidays twice a year and the village shop run entirely by volunteers.

"Local fundraising efforts for the sake of community improvements such as the new kitchen in the village hall are also impressive." The community battled against the Cardiff village of Lisvane in the title tilt.

Llanmadoc also won the Community category, which will see residents benefit to the tune of a prize pot of £2,500 — with the cash being ploughed back into community projects.

But the village missed out on the national title — it was won by Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys — the Mid and West Wales winner and 2009 Calor Village of the Year for Wales.

Meanwhile, the village of Llanfairfechan, Conwy, was the winner of the North Wales prize. And the Carmarthenshire village of Llandeilo, was highly commended in the contest for its village allotment project.

In the contest, communities are judged over four key areas including: community, a better place to live, business, a better place to work, sustainability, a better future and communications, and being in contact.

But to win a regional prize a village must have a special X factor.

The judges added: "Evidence of the forward- thinking nature of the community of Llanmadoc is also seen in several other schemes in the pipeline, including further work outside the village hall, renovating the old school site and reclaiming the old village 'Forge'."

Calor Village of the Year manager, Holly Sims added: "Very well done to Llanmadoc — a worthy winner of the South Wales and Community category titles this year.

"Once again this competition has brought to our attention some outstanding examples of rural village communities that are carrying out some fantastic projects and making great achievements, often in the face of adversity, on a day to day basis.

"Every year we never fail to be impressed by the standard of the villages that take part, so our warm congratulations go to Llanmadoc as one of our regional winners."