NOMINATIONS are being sought for The Heart of Ulverston Awards.

Run by The Westmorland Gazette's sister paper The Mail, the annual awards are designed to celebrate the strength of community in Ulverston.

Last year the Heart of Ulverston Awards highlighted the depth of courage in our community, the peaks of achievement scaled by locals and the boundless enthusiasm shared by each and every person living in Ulverston to make the town the best it can be.

Dozens of people and groups were singled out and nominated for contributions made to the town over the course of the year, and on one spectacular evening they were celebrated as one.

Now we are calling on you to look around for your community heroes and help us honour the work they do. On November 2 the Coro will once again play host to a celebration of everything which makes the town so special.

The ceremony will praise the efforts of local people for their work in the town across a wide range of endeavours.

This year's categories are: Teacher of the Year; Community Group Project of the Year; Sports Volunteer of the Year; Young Sports Performance of the Year; The Helping Hand Award; Employee of the Year; Environmental Volunteer of the Year; The Courage Award; Citizen of the Year; Young Citizen of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Vanessa Sims, editor of The Mail s aid: "The Heart of Ulverston Awards are a great way to show those people who always go the extra mile they are appreciated.

"Whether that be the selfless volunteers who give up hour after hour to clean and weed the local park or the young person who has shown the good of the town is always at the heart of the things they do, we want to you to nominate them.

"Without the efforts of these people our town would not be as great as it is."

One of last year's incredible winners was 12-year-old Ben Plinston, who took home a Young Courage Award. Ben has a very rare Kabuki syndrome which has resulted in life limiting health issues and developmental delay.

Ben also has a heart condition which has led to him having four major heart surgeries. He is also blind, has kidney problems and a blood disorder.

Ben’s mum Natalie Plinston said: “Despite all this, Ben is the happiest, cheekiest little boy you could meet. He loves life and has the amazing ability to make people fall in love with him after only being in his company for a few minutes.” To nominate your community hero visit www.nwemail.co.uk/features/heart-of-ulverston-awards/#// before close of play on Friday.