COMMUNITY champions across North Ayrshire’s six localities are set to be celebrated by Provost Ian Clarkson.

The Provost Recognition Awards will kick off in May 2020 and will recognise those inspiring and influential groups and individuals who have made a difference.

These awards are a variation on the Provost’s Civic Pride Awards, which have been running for the last nine years, and aim to get into the very heart of our communities.

Nominations will open on Valentine’s Day 2020 and awards ceremonies will take place in May.

Provost Clarkson said: “I am absolutely delighted to be launching the Recognition Awards. I have loved being involved in the Civic Pride Awards – they have been hugely successful.

“But I felt we needed to try and get right into our localities to find even more gems within our communities.

“The new format will see award events aligned with our locality partnerships which will see more local people rewarded for the excellent work they carry out.”

The Award categories are: Community Group of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Special Achievement Award.

The Provost Recognition Awards will take place in each locality as follows: Saturday, May16 , Largs Campus, 11am-1pm, Monday, May 18, Garnock Campus, 7 -9pm, Tuesday, May 19, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 7-9pm, Wednesday, May 20, Kilwinning Academy, 7-9pm, Thursday, May 21, Saltcoats Town Hall, 7-9pm and Saturday, May 23, Arran High School, 11am -1pm.