It has been revealed that a number of towns were excluded from this year's TidyTowns competition.

The Department of Rural and Community Development says a record number of 918 committees entered the event.

However the department believes that seven TidyTowns committees submitted an e-mail application which was not received by them.

In a statement, the department says: "While there is nothing to indicate that any fault lies with the Department of Rural and Community Development in this matter, the department acknowledges the huge effort that goes into the TidyTowns competition each year by local groups.

"While it is not obliged to do so, the department is arranging adjudications to be carried out for six areas that have so far been able to demonstrate that they had attempted to submit applications before the deadline for the competition."

It adds: "The groups in question have been advised of this and each group has welcomed the approach.

"The adjudicators, in formulating their reports, will be mindful of the fact that their assessments are taking place in October, rather than during the summer months."

The department is still awaiting evidence from the seventh group that they had attempted to submit an application.

If and when this is provided, an adjudication can take place on that town as well.

"Once the adjudication process has been completed, the affected committees will receive their adjudication score and report", the department says.

The official version of the results booklet for the 2019 competition will also be revised to take account of these scores.

While any prizes that may fall due to these groups will be honoured and presented to them at the regional awards ceremonies, to be held later in the year.

Glaslough in Co Monaghan was named as Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2019 back in September.