TIRELESS volunteers and community groups proved they were the cream of Ayrshire after winning big at this year’s Provost Civic Pride Awards.

The 2015 event took place at the Seamill Hydro and was hosted by North Ayrshire Provost Joan Sturgeon.

People who have made a difference or a big impact in their communities were honoured at the glamorous bash on Friday night.

For the past few weeks members of the community have been voting in their thousands for each category to determine the winners.

And this weekend, the wait was finally over as the deserving winners were revealed.

Provost Sturgeon was delighted and proud to host the event and closed the ceremony with a heartfelt speech thanking all the nominees, voters, organisers and sponsors.

The event also raised a staggering £18,000 for North Ayrshire-based charities, Cash for Kids and Ayrshire Hospice.

On the night, Provost Sturgeon had the honour of revealing the winners of each category before ending the night by announcing the winner of her own special award; Irvine Burns Club and Irvine Lasses Burns Club.

Provost Sturgeon told a packed Seamill Hydro: “The Provost’s Civic Pride Awards 2015 have been a huge success and this year’s Oscars-theme allowed us to provide a perfect backdrop to celebrate the achievements of all of our finalists.

“We are very lucky to have such a wealth of talent and dedicated individuals and groups who are committed to enhancing the lives of others in North Ayrshire.

"All of our finalists should be very proud of what they have achieved.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of this year’s event.

"This would not have been possible without the backing of the many local businesses which supported the awards and the residents who voted in their thousands to select each of our category winners.

“I am also delighted that charities Cash For Kids and the Ayrshire Hospice will benefit from the thousands of pounds raised at Friday’s Charity Dinner.” The other winners were:  Arts and Culture: Irvine Burns Club and Irvine Lasses Burns Club Young Citizen: Peer mentors Kori-Lee, Becky and Scott, from Pennyburn.

Community Group: Largs First Responders Unit Citizen of the Year: Joe Broussard, Kilwinning.

Sports: Danielle Joyce.