NAMES are now being sought for a ceremony to celebrate a borough’s local heroes.

Nominations are now open for Blackburn and Darwen’s Community Volunteer Awards.

While the final prize-giving has been postponed from June to September because of coronavirus, organisers believe there are even more unsung heroes than ever making a difference in the current crisis.

The awards, organised by the council and Community CVS, celebrate the people and groups who make a difference and make the borough a better place.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of the council, said: “These are unprecedented and strange times and we need our local heroes more than we ever have. There will be so many people going above and beyond for others at the moment and we need to celebrate them.”

Nominations can be made via the Community CVS website across 12 categories including The Good Neighbour Award and Volunteer of the Year.

Cllr Khan said: “Every event has had to be put back at the moment and that is obviously a shame but it is really important that we all stay safe and look after others at the moment. I look forward to seeing the awards back on later in the year and watching all our community champions honoured for their hard work.

“Neighbours are helping out the most vulnerable and isolated people in the area, collecting their shopping and picking up essential supplies, checking if they are OK and going that extra mile to make sure people are coping during the crisis.

“A winner could be someone who gives their spare time for free to help out with clubs or groups, someone who dedicates their time to charity, people who help to keep their communities clean and tidy or people who make a difference to the lives of others. There are categories for every good deed.”