TODAY we can reveal the finalists for the inaugural Wiltshire Community Pride Awards.

Nearly 200 nominations went sent in to the Adver for our newest awards, which aim to give unsung heroes the recognition they deserve for their contributions to local communities.

The 10 categories include volunteer, charity champion, good Samaritan, high achiever, hero, environment, and life saver.

Photographer Emily Nardini, of Old Town, is a survivor of domestic abuse whose work aims to inspire other women, and one of the finalists shortlisted in the Courage Award category.

She said: “Being chosen as a finalist is overwhelming. It shows that having the courage to use your voice to share your story really does matter. If I can inspire even just one person to love themselves first and to speak out against domestic violence, I’ve succeeded.”

Mike Ridgway from Devizes was nominated for his work renovating the Old Silk Works for Alzheimer’s Support.

The finalist in the volunteer category said: “Hearing that I had been selected as a finalist left me almost speechless - but intensely proud. Seeing the Old Silk Works club in full action now is fantastic. I'm so pleased to have been able to contribute.”

Adver editor Pete Gavan added: “We had some fantastic entries and it was hard to get it down to these finalists.

“Now it's down to the judges to go through them out pick out the most deserving winners. I look forward to meeting all the finalists on the big day.”

The finalists will be judged by mayor of Swindon Junab Ali, mayor of Marlborough Lisa Farrell, mayor of Devizes Andy Geddes, BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Prater, and chief executive of the Wiltshire Community Foundation Rosemary Macdonald.

The sponsors for the event include Nationwide, Pebley Beach motors, Imagine Cruising, Barnes Coaches, Richard James Estate Agents, Grist Environmental, Selwood Housing, Naturally Social and Wiltshire Community Foundation. Finalists and guests will be invited free of charge to a drinks reception and afternoon tea at the Swindon Marriott Hotel, from 2pm on October 26.

For tickets and information contact Leahanne Reynolds on 01793 501737