Life changing people who have given their all to better the lives of other Bradfordians can be nominated for public recognition through an awards scheme starting on Monday.

Everyone nominated for a Community Harmony award will be invited to bring a friend to a glittering ceremony at the City Hall Banqueting Suite on Thursday, April 26.

Individuals, employees, businesses, groups and organisations can either self-nominate or be nominated by another for an award.

The event, which is in its fifth year, particularly strives to reward those who have taken exceptional steps to unite diverse parts of their community.

Funded by Bradford Council, with support from the Telegraph & Argus and other Bradford agencies and businesses, Mohammed Ayyaz, of Bradford Council's equality service, said the awards brought previously unsung heroes into the public eye.

"If these awards did not exist nobody would know about these people. It gives them encouragement and it encourages others to become involved," he said.

Last year a wealth of volunteers, employees and groups won praise for their efforts in building bridges.

Community Accord manager Olau Thomassen won a special certificate last year when the organisation was named as the joint winner of the group award.

"It was really, really exciting to see our group of volunteers up there, getting some credit for the work they had put in," he said.

Mr Thomassen, 26, said day-to-day thanks for volunteers was not always available. He said the awards gave people a chance to be recognised properly for their efforts.

"I think particularly today when we all live such busy lives for people to take the time to bring communities together is really special," he said.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals Muslim chaplain Mohammed Arshad was handed the employee award alongside his colleague, physiotherapist Gill Fletcher.

The two of them were commended for devising a leaflet and series of questions aimed at Muslims suffering from chronic pain or needing physiotherapy after discovering a pattern of missed appointments.

The work succeeded in persuading Muslim patients that treating pain was as important as treating ill-ness or disease. The project also offered Muslim patients with more access to information and the amount of missed appointments dramatically decreased.

Since winning the award other hospitals and PCTs have approached the team to find out how to set up similar schemes and the duo have made presentations across the UK. An Urdu recording of advice and information is also being produced.

"In the past Bradford has not had the best reputation for one reason or another and the Community Harmony awards show there is a lot of support and strategy in Bradford to work alongside each other," he said.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb, said: "I'm delighted that the Community Harmony awards scheme is going from strength to strength more than ever. It is particularly great to acknowledge the outstanding members of our community for their commitment and dedication to celebrating diversity and community cohesion."

The closing date for nominations is Friday, March 16.

For more information or to nominate someone for an award telephone Mir Haider at Bradford Council equalities services (01274) 432776, e-mail mir.haider@bradford.gov.uk or visit the Bradford Council website on www.bradford.gov.uk/communityawards.