INSPIRING young people who have gone above and beyond can now be nominated for the annual Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.

The annual event, now into its 10th year, is run by the Rotary Club of Taunton and supported by your County Gazette and BBC Somerset and aims to highlight and reward youngsters for their efforts over the past 12 months.

Over the last nine years, stories of kindness, bravery and determination have been unearthed from across the county.

Peter Renshaw, from the Rotary Club, said: “The Rotary Club of Taunton instigated the awards 10 years ago as it was felt that young people generally got a bad press. We were keen to demonstrate that Somerset can be proud of the vast majority of young people and to celebrate their achievements.

“The County Gazette and BBC Somerset have shared this vision and over the 10 years we have celebrated the achievements of hundreds of young people who have made a significant difference in sport, the arts, volunteering, helping in the community, raising money for charity or overcoming adversity whether physical or personal.

“The nominations, and subsequent award winners, are inspirational, humbling and of whom the people of Somerset can be very proud.”

The awards are not split into categories – we want to hear about young people who have shown extra spirit to do something exceptional. It could be for achievement in sport and music or caring for others and the environment– or perhaps even a one-off act of heroism.

Nominees must be under the age of 20 on March 11, 2017, and they must live in Somerset.

Send the nominee’s full name, age, school/college – where appropriate– postal address, contact phone number(s) and a maximum of 200 words on their achievements to newsdesk@countygazette.co.uk putting the words Youth Awards in the subject heading – and do not forget to include your own name and contact details.

Entries can also be posted to ‘Youth Awards’, Somerset County Gazette, St James’ Street, Taunton TA1 1JR or youngsters can be nominated online by visiting countygazette.co.uk/POSYA2017, by the deadline of February 10.