If you know someone in your community who is a dedicated volunteer or goes out of their way to help others, this is your chance to nominate your unsung heroes in the eighth annual Community Stars Awards.

The honours, organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council, are designed to give recognition to those striving to make a difference in their local communities.

Our readers are being asked to nominate people before a panel of judges sift through all the nominations and whittle them down to a shortlist of nominees.

NOMINATE NOW: ONLINE FORM HERE

It will then be over to Bradfordians to vote for the winners, who will be unveiled at a ceremony to be held at the Bradford Hotel on Thursday, December 6, where each category winner will be honoured with the Bradford Medal.

The Community Stars Awards are part of the People Can Make a Difference campaign and are also sponsored by Better Start Bradford.

This year, another category has been added, bringing the total number of categories to nine. The new Outstanding Student Award, sponsored by Bradford College, will recognise a student who has made an outstanding contribution to their local community on a voluntary basis.

Perhaps they have been involved in fundraising for a local group, taken up a local issue and tried to initiate change or simply given their time to support a community organisation. Any student nominated must be currently undertaking full or part-time study in Higher and Further Education. The community activity undertaken must be Bradford-based.

Councillor Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “Bradford district has a strong culture of volunteering and these awards highlight the fantastic contributions of all the district’s active citizens. I would strongly urge people whose lives have been touched by someone who gives their time freely in order to make a difference, to nominate them for an award.”

Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Zafar Ali said: “The annual Community Stars Awards gives everyone the chance to nominate people, groups or organisations they know who make a positive and valuable difference to the lives of local people and the wellbeing of our district. I say don’t leave those lights under a bushel - let’s recognise all those who make Bradford a better, brighter place!”

Nominations are sought in these categories: Community Group, Fundraiser, Young Active Citizens, Good Neighbour, Volunteer, Community Champion, Business Can Make a Difference Award, Outstanding Student, and the Better Start Bradford Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering.

Nominations can be made before Monday, September 24, using the online form.