THE full list of categories in the Best of Darlington Awards 2014:

Contribution to Sport: For groups or individuals who have made a major contribution to sport in Darlington. Sponsored by Polam Hall School;

Performance in Sport: Groups or individuals who have excelled personally in their chosen sport. Sponsored by Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group;

Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to an individual or group who has shown outstanding commitment in their voluntary field without the expectation of reward or recognition. Sponsored by eVOLution;

Contribution to the Community (Sponsored by Darlington Borough Council) and Young Person’s (under 18 years old) Contribution to the Community (Sponsored by Sherwoods Vauxhall): Two separate categories for groups or individuals involved in activities aimed at improving their community;

Vocational Excellence: Awarded to a student that has engaged in vocational learning on a course/apprenticeship and whose achievement has been outstanding. Sponsored by Darlington College;

Academic Excellence: For someone who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement that deserves wider recognition. Sponsored by Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College;

Exceptional Student: A student who doesn’t fall into either previous category but deserves recognition for the extraordinary effort they have made. Sponsored by Teesside University;

Exceptional Teacher: An opportunity for children and/or their parents to recognise and celebrate ‘that teacher’ - the one who went the extra mile, the one who inspired or encouraged. Sponsored by Darlington Lions Club;

Contribution to the Environment: An individual, community group or business that is having a positive impact on the environment through projects or particular initiatives. Sponsored by Groundwork North East;

Contribution to the Arts: Groups or individuals of any age who have made a major contribution to the arts in Darlington. Sponsored by Darlington Operatic Society;

Business - Contribution to the Community: Any business in the borough can be nominated. The award will recognise a business that has made a notable contribution to the community. Sponsored by Mech-Tool Engineering;

Business - Bringing Success to Darlington: Any business in the borough can be nominated. The award will recognise a business that has recently had an extraordinary achievement which has brought benefit to Darlington. Sponsored by Darlington Building Society;

Putting Darlington on the Map: For an individual, company or group, that has made the rest of the country, or wider world, more aware of Darlington during 2013. Sponsored by The Northern Echo.