PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair today pledged his support for our Pride of East Lancashire Awards and applauded the spirit of the region's people.

The awards, launched yesterday, are designed to acknowledge the area's fantastic voluntary heroes and organisations.

And the campaign as a whole will also work to highlight ALL that's good in East Lancashire -- from great sporting achievements to innovative businesses, from our rich history to the spirit of the people.

Tony Blair said: "I am delighted to give my support to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's 'Pride of East Lancashire's awards.'

"It's a great initiative to celebrate the voluntary organisations and individuals whose efforts make such a difference to people's lives here.

"There are many reasons to be proud of East Lancashire. But this area's greatest asset has always been the talent, commitment, and spirit of its people.

"Through this imaginative initiative, the Evening Telegraph will not just deservedly recognise some of East Lancashire's unsung heroes and heroines but will also help encourage others to follow their example in giving something back to their community.

"And that, of course, is another good reason for everyone to welcome and support these awards."

But part of the success of the awards depends upon you the readers putting pen to paper and nominating individual people and groups of people whose achievements ought to be publicly applauded.

Readers have until October 1 to write and tell us about worthy contenders for 10 community awards.

The winners for each category will be announced at an Oscar style awards ceremony on November 22.

Support for the awards has also flooded in from East Lancashire's MPs

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "Its a great idea. I fully support it.

"There are a lot of unsung people who do a great deal of good work out in the community which is never recognised. These awards will do just that."

Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "This is a very good initiative. There's an awful lot to be proud about in East Lancashire and it is vitally important that we celebrate that.

"In the case of Blackburn the town has lifted itself dramatically in the last 10 years in the same way that Rovers have, moving from a second division club to a top premier team.

"It's vital that East Lancashire shows a confident and attractive face of achievement to the world and these awards will help do that."

Nigel Evans, MP for Ribble Valley, said: "This is a marvellous idea. It would be a boost for East Lancashire recognising that there are many great things about the area which people take for granted.

"The Lancashire Evening Telegraph initiative will showcase the area's best features.

"In my own constituency we have the Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding natural beauty recognised world wide as a major attraction, which would be a natural candidate for any award."

Gordon Prentice, MP for Pendle, said: "I think this is a splendid idea and East Lancashire is one of the hidden gems of Britain.

"Pendle is a marvellous constituency to represent and is one of the finest areas of the whole country.

"Anything we can do to boost the image and confidence of the area is very welcome."

Peter Pike, MP for Burnley, said: "There are many great things in Burnley such as Queen Street Mill, Gawthorpe Hall and Towneley Hall.

"Some of the best attractions in the county and too often we don't make the most of them.

"We need to celebrate the good things about Burnley and East Lancashire."

Janet Anderson, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: "It's a wonderful idea. There are many things in East Lancashire worth celebrating.

"People nationally are not aware of the many attractions in the area - for instance the beautiful moors that surround Rossendale and Darwen.

"We need to make the most of what we have..

"East Lancashire is an ideal but much under used tourist location. These awards will help boost awareness of the good things in East Lancashire."

Thisislancashire's special Pride of East Lancashire section...