KNUTSFORD’S community heroes will once again be celebrated in the annual town awards.

Nominations are now open for Knutsford Town Awards 2017 and the council is appealing to residents and members of the community to put forward its unsung champions.

The awards, which will be sponsored once again by Knutsford-based Forum of Private Business, aim to recognise those who give their time for the benefit of their community, from individual volunteers to community organisations.

The awards also seek to recognise the businesses which engage with the community and the younger contributors who are already giving something back.

Ian Cass, managing director of the Forum, said: “The Forum of Private business are delighted to be sponsoring the town awards this year.

“Knutsford has a great sense of community and businesses in the town make up a valued and very active part of this community.”

“The surrounding local businesses always sponsor, support and contribute towards many local events and initiatives, so the Forum is very proud to count itself part of this local community and to sponsor the awards which recognise and reward these contributions.”

The categories of the awards are: the civic award, made to an individual or group who give their time to the community, the business award which goes to businesses for their work engaging with and contributing to the community, the youth awards recognises the members of the community aged 21 and under and the community award which goes to a community organisation to recognise the work they do in the community.

Adam Keppel-Garner, town clerk, said: “This is your chance to tell us who your community heroes are, which groups make Knutsford the town it is or whose work in the community should everyone know about.”

Nominations can be made online at knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/community/town-awards with a deadline of March 19 as well as the Welcome Café and the Makers Market.