THE unsung heroes of Malmesbury will be celebrated next month at the annual Malmesbury Citizen Awards.

The town council are now receiving nominations for individuals or organisations who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the local community in the past year.

Run by the Malmesbury Town Council, the awards include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year (the John Poole Cup) and Organisation / Group of the Year (the Paul Dove Trophy).

Nominees for Citizen of the Year must be aged over 26 and for Young Citizen between 16 and 25. They must live in the wider Malmesbury area and organisations must be centred in that area.

The Young Citizen of the Year Award is made in conjunction with the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds and the winner may in turn be put forward for the Rotary Club’s Young Citizen Award.

Malmesbury mayor councillor John Gundry organises the awards. He said: “It is a pleasure to recognise sustained contribution to the community, which is one of the distinctive things about Malmesbury.

“We're looking forward to receiving many nominations for the many great people in the town.”

To propose an individual or organisation for an award, residents can complete the application form available at the Tourist Information Centre, which must be returned April 7.

Online nomination forms can be found at malmesbury.gov.uk which must be sent to administration@malmesbury.gov.uk

The award presentation evening will take place on Wednesday, April 27, at 7pm in the town hall. Nominees and their proposer and seconder will be invited.