Darlington'S best citizens can be honoured for their tireless community work as part of the Mayor's Community Awards Scheme.

The annual event was previously known as the Citizen of the Year Award, but its name was changed last year to widen the base of the scheme.

People who have made a significant difference in their community, or have worked for good causes, can be nominated for the award by any members of the public.

The winner will be invited to important civic events, including the mayor-making ceremony, Mayor's Sunday, the Mayoress at Home, the Mayor's Ball and the Holocaust Memorial Day.

Entries are being sought for the community group of the year and the citizen, or citizens, of the year.

The scheme, which is sponsored by The Northern Echo, has already been launched and the public invited to nominate people or groups.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and announced on May 7.

The overall winner receives a commemorative trophy to keep for a year, two cheques for £100, one from the Mayor's Charity Fund and one from The Northern Echo.

Winners will be presented with their awards by Darlington Mayor Doris Jones at an awards evening on May 14.

The prize money will be donated to the winner's chosen charity.

Last year's winner was Michael Nicholson, 42, of Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, who received his honour from the then Mayor, Councillor Isobel Hartley.

Mr Nicholson started working for Darlington Victim Support in 1988, combining that with his work for the council's social services department and as a volunteer at Darlington Memorial Hospital. He also balancing his community work with raising three children as a single parent.

The winner of the community group last year was Cockerton and Branksome Living Enterprise, which works to improve life and provide services, including courses, for the community.

The closing date for nominations is Wednesday, April 30.

The judging panel will meet on Wednesday, May 7, to make their decision, before the ceremony a week later.

All entrants receive certificates to acknowledge their nominations.

For more information on making nominations, contact Iain Purdie, mayoral support officer, on (01325) 388363