LEDBURY'S mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker, is on the look out for the town's unsung heroes, as candidates for the Herefordshire Community Champions Awards.

There are five categories on total, and Cllr Baker wants to see strong Ledbury involvement in the county-wide competition, which is run by Herefordshire Council.

She said: "Community Champions has only just been announced so as of the moment I know of no one who has been nominated. I am keen to raise awareness of the awards and encouraging residents of our town to nominate people."

There are five categories in total, which include Volunteer of the Year, "for Individuals whose tireless and selfless work for others is making a tangible difference"; Apprentice of the Year, "for people who have seized the opportunity of vocational training to improve their career prospects and who set an example for all to follow"; Caring Champion –"who will represent all that is best in our army of carers"; Sustainability Champion, "someone who is promoting the importance of environmental stewardship and safeguarding our wonderful towns, villages and countryside for future generations", and Youth Champion, "someone who demonstrate all that is best about citizens of the future and who are setting a positive example for others".

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said: "The Herefordshire Community Champions awards are a partnership between Herefordshire Council and Cargill. The awards have been developed to recognise and say a massive thank you to the extraordinary individual and group contributors living in Herefordshire that make it one of the best places in the country.The awards are open to anyone living in Herefordshire."

But time is ticking. Nominations must be in by February 22. Applications are available from the Town Council Offices in Church Lane or by nominating online at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/champions17