HARD-WORKING volunteers who strive to make a difference in their local communities across Bradford are to be recognised for their dedication, as the fifth annual Community Stars campaign begins today.

The honours are organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council in an effort to ensure unsung heroes across the district are rewarded for their commitment.

DOWNLOAD A COMMUNITY STARS 2015 NOMINATION FORM

Readers are being asked to nominated people in their neighbourhoods who they feel have gone the extra mile to help others living in the area.

Nominations, which must be submitted before Monday, September 28, will be whittled down by a panel of judges before Bradfordians have the tough job of voting for who they think is the most deserving from a shortlist of nominees.

Winners in the six categories will be announced at a ceremony at City Hall on December 2, where they will each be presented with the Bradford Medal.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Joanne Dodds said: "We have so many community spirited people in the Bradford district and these awards give us the chance to celebrate these people and the impact they have in our communities.

"It is important that we celebrate the unsung heroes in our district."

Councillor Arshad Hussain, the Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: "This will be the fifth year of Community Stars. During these five years we have had some amazing people nominated and hopefully this year we will have a similar response.

"The contribution Bradfordians make to community life helps make the district the place that it is. Sometimes the smallest contributions, like helping an elderly neighbour are the acts which have the greatest impact.

"Going forward the Council will continue to rely on the active citizens we already have, whilst encouraging more people to take on volunteering within the neighbourhoods where they live.

"I look forward to the 2015 awards and celebrating the many achievements of people who do so much. If you know someone who you think deserves to be recognised for their voluntary contribution please nominate them."

This year nominations are being sought in the following categories: Volunteer, Good Neighbour, Community Group, Fundraiser, Community Champion and Young Active Citizen.

Last year an extra award went for the first time to Bradford Nightstop, which has provided temporary accommodation for homeless young people across the district for more than 20 years.

The charity, which receives referrals for people aged 16 to 25 who need emergency shelter, took home an Outstanding Contribution award for its volunteers.

Corine Campbell, project development worker at Bradford Nightstop, who recruits and supports the organisation's volunteers, said: "We have a number of volunteers and this award helped them recognise the strength of their individual contributions.

"They were very pleased to win, particularly with it being a new award recognising outstanding contribution.

"Without all their help we wouldn't be able to run the service."

Download and fill in this form to nominate someone in the Community Stars honours.