The search is under way to find those who go above and beyond for their local town or village.

The inaugural Suffolk Coastal Community Awards are now open for nominations.

They recognise and reward the unsung heroes whose hard work and dedication often goes unnoticed. The awards will replace the Suffolk Coastal Sports Awards, which have been running for the last six years.

Geoff Holdcroft, the district council’s cabinet member responsible for leisure and economic development, said: “The sport awards had been going from strength to strength in recent years, but is was felt that we should also recognise the contribution other people make to enhancing their local communities.

“So, this year, we have rebranded and expanded the scheme to launch the Suffolk Coastal Community Awards.”

Categories include: sports personality of the year, young sports personality of the year, club of the year, team of the year and volunteer of the year.

Other nominations are wanted for outstanding contribution to the community, the young person award, making the community safer award, innovative local Ideas award and partnership, inspirational and lifetime achievement award.

Mr Holdcroft said: “We want to recognise extraordinary achievements of the ‘ordinary people’, who put in hours of hard work throughout the year to help others in the community. I am sure there are many individuals worthy of recognition. I would encourage people to get their nominations in so their dedication can be rewarded and celebrated.”

The award evening is scheduled to take place on October 6 at Hungarian Hall, in Pettistree, near Woodbridge.

Visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourfreetime/suffolkcoastalcommunityawards for details. The deadline for nominations is August 16.