MEMBERS of the public are being asked to nominate those making a difference to our community for a Pride of Swindon Award.

The annual event, now in its sixth year, was launched yesterday morning at the Civic Offices.

Organisers want to honour those who give their time to help others and make Swindon a better place to live.

Mayor Teresa Page said: “The awards honour people who have gone that extra mile to make Swindon a great place to live. It will be my honour to meet them.

“I’m sure the awards will be a success and I’m asking the public to nominate the wonderful people who are making a difference to Swindon.”

The deadline for nominations is February 2, 2015 with an awards ceremony being held later.

The council has teamed up with organisations from the town including the Adver, Wiltshire Police, McDonald’s and Swindon 105.5 to hold the awards.

Gavin Jones, Swindon Council chief executive, said: “We are looking to reward people from the community who are making a difference to Swindon.

“Celebrating what they are doing for their neighbours and the rest of the town is what these awards are all about.”

At the event to launch the awards, previous winners attended and spoke about how pleased they were to be a part of the competition.

Former winner Debra Hows, from ESPRIT Gymnastics, said: “I think recognition through these awards raises the profile of what we do to the people of Swindon.

“It opens people’s eyes to something they might not be aware of.”

Examples of ideal Pride of Swindon nominees would be people who have been a volunteer or a carer, or someone who has helped tackle crime.

Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner For Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “These awards recognise those that are at the heart of our community.”

For more information visit www.swindon.gov.uk