A CELEBRATION of diversity champions across Cumbria will take place on Friday, May 29.

Nominations are now open for the fifth annual Diverse Cumbria Awards and organisers are asking the public to help recognise people working for equality, diversity and inclusion in the county.

Organiser Ben Vollans said he hoped the awards ceremony at Carlisle hotel The Halston would be “a night where everyone feels safe, supported and celebrated”.

The nine categories comprise Business Champion, Diversity Event of the Year, Educational Champion, Organisation Champion, Positive Role Model, Positive Young Person, Public Sector Champion, Volunteer Champion and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sponsors include Sellafield, the NHS in Cumbria, Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and BAE Systems of Barrow. Holly Ellison, a finalist from 2018 talent show The Voice, will sing live.

For nominations (deadline 10pm on March 20) and tickets, visit www.diversecumbria.co.uk