FLOODS of nominations were received for the Best of Darlington awards from people across the borough who felt a person or group close to their hearts deserved recognition.

Judges said they were very impressed by the standard of entries for each category, and The Northern Echo is printing the name of every entry received to pay tribute to their valuable community work throughout last year.

Darlington Mayor Stella Robson, who was part of the judging panel, praised all the nominees and thanked people for sending in their entries for the first awards of their kind in Darlington.

She said: "It was an honour to judge these awards and to read all the nominations, which were all worthy winners in their own right.

"Again, we have seen how many people in the town are working to help others and create a true community spirit."

The winners will be presented with their prizes at tonight's ceremony at the TFM Darlington Arena, and two will go on to be crowned Darlington Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year.

They will be revealed in The Northern Echo on Monday, with photographs and reports from the ceremony.