North Ayrshire residents are being reminded that it is their last chance to nominate in this year’s Provost’s Recognition Awards.

In its first year, the awards are a variation on the Provost’s Civic Pride Awards, which have been running for the last nine years to recognise and celebrate people and groups at the heart of their communities.

Nominations close on Friday, March 20, at 12pm and a shortlist of finalists will be drawn up by a specially selected locality judging panel ahead of the award events hosted in each locality in May.

Provost Ian Clarkson said: “Thank you to everyone who has already put forward their nominations. There are so many people working day in, day out for the benefit of our communities and they truly deserve their time in the spotlight.

“We’ve had a fantastic response so far, however, as the shortlisting stage grows closer, we would urge anyone who has not yet nominated to please do so as it is not always the case that someone else will have nominated your local heroes and we would hate for them to miss out on the recognition they so richly deserve.”

Provost Clarkson added: “The new approach will see the award events aligned with our locality partnerships which will see more local people being rewarded for the excellent work they carry out with award ceremonies taking place in May in each of the six North Ayrshire localities.”

Nominations are still open online until March 20 and there are four categories to choose from: Community Group of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and the Special Achievement Award.

To nominate visit: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/provostsawards.