BLACKPOOL'S volunteers are to get their own Oscar-style ceremony.

The search is on to find the town's unsung heroes and heroines - community-spirited men, women and young people who are willing to put others before themselves.

Any individual or organisation can nominate someone for an award by outlining in no more than 100 words why they think their favoured person fits the bill.

Categories include Community Activist, Community Group, Public Servant, Company and Young Person of the Year.

Length of service awards will recognise the efforts of volunteers who have given ten or more years of service to a group.

Council leader Ivan Taylor said: "In today's fast-moving society, it's easy to feel there's never enough time to do the things we want to do, so it is particularly commendable when people regularly give up a number of hours to put something back in the community.

"The awards are a way for Blackpool as a town to say thank you to our local unsung volunteers.

"And we're not looking for people who perform superhuman tasks - you can simply be a good neighbour to qualify."

For more information on how to nominate someone, call Blackpool's community development officer on 477279 or (0797) 9704087.

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