NOMINATIONS are flooding in for this year's People of Wiltshire Awards, set up to celebrate the achievements of the county's unsung heroes.

The day after the launch of the 2004 awards, nominations began to arrive at Wiltshire County Council, with people eager to applaud their fellows in the community for their efforts to make Wiltshire a better place to live.

"We've already received a very high standard of entry," said county spokesman Lucia Chadwick.

"The awards are now well established and people know what it is all about."

She said the nominations received to date were very worthy ones, including a man who helped out at a local school, working with the children as well as decorating the building.

One nomination received for the environment award was made for a Wiltshire resident who runs a wildlife hospital, and encourages young people to visit and learn about it.

Ms Chadwick also encouraged people to think about submitting nominations for the Employer of the Year award and the Youth Awards.

"It would be great if people would change their focus from the bad things some young people do, to the good things many of them achieve and to nominate them for an award," she said.

The annual awards are run by Wiltshire County Council with the help of sponsors and a wide range of local organisations to celebrate local heroes.

There are six awards that honour the achievements of young people, good neighbourliness, care in the community, protecting the environment, sporting success and the employee of the year.

The People of Wiltshire Awards, now in its third year, were devised by the county council to honour the individuals, local organisations and businesses that have made outstanding contributions to community life in the county.

There is still plenty of time to nominate someone, as the closing date is April 30.

Residents are invited to think about the special people in their community for each category.

They are asked to put them forward for consideration people who may have been working for others quietly and without reward for years.

Nomination forms are available throughout Swindon and Wiltshire in libraries, doctor's surgeries, pharmacies, opticians, dentist surgeries, youth centres and leisure centres following the launch celebrations.

Click here for forms and more details.