YOUNG people who do outstanding work for their communities are to be honoured under an expanded awards scheme.

Since 2007, Durham County Council has awarded Chairman’s Medals to honour people for significant achievement and outstanding effort in all walks of life.

This year, Council Chairman Cllr Jan Blakey plans to double the number of recipients from 14 to 28.

She has also announced a new Young Person’s Medal to honour younger members of the community in each of the council’s 14 Area Action Partnerships.

Nominations are invited in each of the 14 areas, ahead of a presentation evening just before the chairman’s term of office ends in May.

Cllr Blakey, said: “I am certain we will have many outstanding entries to be considered for both categories.

“We have some wonderful young people throughout the county who richly deserve recognition for the selfless work they do – work that very often goes unnoticed, but is so vital to the individuals or communities it helps.

“I want this presentation event to be a celebration of the achievements and effort that people of our county put in every day. We do care about what they do and I can’t over estimate the value that we place upon these people”.

The deadline for nominations for both the Chairman’s Medal and the Young Person’s Medal is Monday, March 14.

Completed forms should be forwarded to: The Chairman’s Office, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham DH1 5UL and more information is available from www.durham.gov.uk/ChairmansMedal