CASTLE Street in Hay-on-Wye is one of the top 20 best shopping streets in Britain, according to the Google Street View Awards.

Traders were stunned to find themselves on the same page as Cheltenham’s Promenade and the King’s Parade in Cambridge when the shortlist was revealed last week.

Stuart Pritchard, of Castle Greengrocers, thought it was probably related to the kind of custom Hay attracted rather than the businesses themselves, which on Castle Street are all independent except for Spar and clothing chain Rohan.

But he also said this meant each firm supported the other and perhaps created a nice atmosphere in which to shop.

“In a way I would have expected it because, like Cheltenham Spa and Leamington Spa, this area is well known,” he added.

“But then on the other hand, maybe you don’t actually appreciate where you live yourself.”

Criteria set out by the contest – which also aims to find Britain’s most romantic and hippest streets – says clothes, food and homeware must be available at varying prices from both independent and high street stores on each road.

Other firms thought that, with this in mind, what Castle Street lacked in High Street names it probably made up for in size.

“It’s small – even if you can’t find a space in the town the car park’s just a short distance away,” said Sally de Las Casas, who has just marked her first anniversary of trading at The End clothing and gift shop with business partner Marina Rendle.

“There are good places for people to eat in town as well,”

Marina added.

Whatever their reasons, panel members including GQ deputy editor Bill Prince, Lonely Planet Guide author David Else and Vogue fashion editor Miranda Almond put Castle Street on the map and public polls agreed.

Now more votes are invited before the three final winners in each category are announced next month. To give Castle Street a fighting chance cast yours at maps.google.co.uk/beststreets before June 22.