COMMUNITY champions will be heralded once again at the Middlewich Oscars.

The annual awards will return to celebrate and reward local heroes who make an outstanding contribution to the community.

Now in their third year, the awards recognise those whose commitment, enthusiasm, and community spirit make a real difference in Middlewich.

This year’s ceremony will be held on Friday, March 4, at Middlewich Town Hall. Doors will open at 6.30pm.

Jonathan Williams, Middlewich Town Council clerk, said: “The Oscars are a celebration of the sense of community spirit that characterises Middlewich, and our way of saying thank you to those who make our town such a fantastic place to live, work and visit.

“We believe in the importance of recognising exceptional individuals, businesses and community groups, and these awards are the perfect way of showing our local heroes that they are appreciated and valued.”

The awards being open to everyone who is deserving of special recognition.

Nominees can be of all ages, and anyone from individuals who go the extra mile, volunteers, community groups or innovative businesses.

Nominations are open until February 12.

The ten categories open for nominations are: Business of the Year, Club or Organisation of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Person of the Year, Music, Arts and Culture Award, Environmental Heritage Award, Community Service Award, Sport and Leisure Award, Excellence in Education Award and the Town Mayor's Special Award.

Middlewich businesses will be sponsoring the awards, with a number of companies already pledging their support.

This year’s sponsors announced so far are The White Bear, The Rotary Club, The Middlewich Clean Team, U3A, Middlewich High School, Bare Bones Marketing and Middlewich Town Council.

Organisers are urging anyone who knows a deserving award contender to submit a nomination before the closing date of February 12.

This can be done by either collecting a nomination form from the Victoria Buildings on Lewin Street, Middlewich Library or Lewin Street Post Office, or by completing the online submission on Middlewich Town Council’s website.

Tickets for the event are £5 and can be purchased from the Victoria Buildings, Lewin Street.