It's the final countdown for you to nominate your community heroes!

Nominations close on September 29 for the West Cumbria Community Heroes Awards 2017, run by The Whitehaven News and Times & Star .

With your help, we want to recognise those who inspire and make a difference to those around them.

The awards, now in their fourth year, are this year being held in association with Allerdale council.

Deanne Shallcross, editor of The Whitehaven News and Times & Star, said: “There are many people who do so much good work across West Cumbria and deserve to be recognised.

“They rarely seek praise or attention and never consider their acts as heroic, which is part of what makes them so special.

“This is our chance – on your behalf – to show them how their work is appreciated.”

We need you to tell us who your heroes are.

Cumbria’s community spirit is renowned the world over.

Our towns, villages and estates are full of people who go the extra mile to help others; there are clubs and organisations which survive on the tireless dedication of volunteers; there are school workers who inspire us to achieve and go out of the way to ensure we can fulfil our goals.

Across 12 categories, our West Cumbria Community Heroes Awards will ensure praise for champions in all of their forms.

Previous events have seen judges and audiences humbled by the actions of those nominated.

Alan Smith, leader of Allerdale council, said: "I am delighted that the council will be the main sponsor for the West Cumbria Community Heroes Awards.

"Community is what the council is all about, so we jumped at the opportunity to help in celebrating the heroic achievements of local people.

"I am very much looking forward to what is sure to be an inspirational event that recognises the selfless work in our communities."

The categories are:

Carer of the Year

Someone who provides exceptional unpaid care and goes over and above the call of duty.

Young Carer of the Year

Someone under the age of 18 who provides exceptional unpaid care and goes over and above the call of duty.

Good Neighbour of the Year

Someone who has gone over and above normal friendship to be a good neighbour, who has had a significant impact on an individual or community.

Young Achiever of the Year

Someone, under 18, who has completed an outstanding voluntary or community act or service.

Sporting Hero of the Year

Someone who has shown particularly outstanding achievements in amateur sport, voluntary work or a coaching capacity.

Young Sporting Hero of the Year

Someone under 18 who has shown particularly outstanding achievements in amateur sport, voluntary work or a coaching capacity.

Unsung Hero of the Year

Someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in the community.

Volunteer of the Year

A dedicated individual who regularly gives up their time to help charitable causes.

Young Volunteer of the Year

A dedicated individual, under 18, who regularly gives up their time to help charitable causes.

Best Community Project of the Year

A project carried out by any local, informal or non-recognised voluntary group that has outstanding benefits to the local community.

Best Youth Community Project of the Year

A project carried out by any local, informal or non-recognised voluntary group that has outstanding benefits to athe local youth community or is run by under-18s.

West Cumbria's Person of the Year

A special award designed to honour someone who has made a real difference to their community over many years, but especially in the last 12 months.

The awards ceremony will be held on December 1 at Workington Leisure Centre.

To make a nomination, fill in the form below. Nominations close on Friday, September 29.