FORGET Brad Pitt and George Clooney – the glitz and glamour of Hollywood is heading to North Ayrshire for the Provost’s Civic Pride Awards 2015.

Themed on the Oscars, next year’s eagerly anticipated event will see unsung community heroes given the red carpet treatment and made to feel like VIPs at one of North Ayrshire’s most prestigious social occasions.

Now in its fifth year, the awards are designed to recognise the efforts of North Ayrshire community champions as well as highlighting the positive impact they’ve had on the lives of people living in the area.

Over the coming weeks members of the public will be asked to nominate the inspirational individuals they believe are deserving of one of the five awards.

The finalists will then be chosen by the Provost’s judging panel and invited to an exclusive Oscar’s themed charity gala dinner at Seamill Hydro on March 20.

The event will also raise funds for two charities: Cash for Kids, which provides support to the most vulnerable children within our communities, and The Ayrshire Hospice, which provides outstanding quality care and services to the community.

Previous Civic Pride charity dinners have raised a combined total of nearly £80,000 for charities and have been well supported by generous companies who have taken tables, donated prizes and sponsored awards.

It’s hoped this enthusiasm will be repeated at the 2015 celebration event.

Provost Joan Sturgeon is now asking for local residents to get involved and help reward those people who continually improve the lives of others.

Provost Sturgeon said: “I’m delighted to launch the 2015 Civic Pride Awards which recognise and celebrate North Ayrshire’s unsung heroes.

“The Civic Pride Awards are considered to be ‘North Ayrshire’s Oscars’ and this year’s theme has given us the perfect opportunity to reflect that.

“It gives residents the opportunity to celebrate the people who they know work tirelessly to better their local community.

"It gives us the chance to recognise their contribution to the area which can often go unnoticed.

“I’m looking forward to being able to identify another group of worthy winners at the 2015 special awards ceremony.” Next week we will open the nomination process and members of the public will be given the chance to put forward their local heroes, active community groups, considerate young citizens, aspiring sports athletes, talented artists and dedicated volunteers for one or more of the following awards.

The five Civic Pride Awards to be presented on March 20 are: North Ayrshire Community Group Award. This will go to a voluntary group based in North Ayrshire which has made a positive contribution and promoted or demonstrated civic pride in the community North Ayrshire Citizen of the Year Award. This will go to a person residing in North Ayrshire who has made a positive contribution and promoted or demonstrated civic pride in his/her community.

North Ayrshire Young Citizen of the Year (Under 25 years). This will go to a young person residing in North Ayrshire who has made a positive contribution and promoted or demonstrated civic pride in his/her community North Ayrshire Arts and Culture Award. This will go to the person, based in North Ayrshire, who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of arts and culture, either through artistic endeavour or by encouraging and supporting others. Individuals or groups can be entered North Ayrshire Sports Award. This will go to the person, based in North Ayrshire, who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of sport, either through sporting achievements or by encouraging and supporting others. Individuals or groups can be entered.

Local businesses and organisations who wish to book a table or donate a prize for the raffle – or lend their support in any other way – should contact the Council’s Corporate Communications Team on 01294 324137.