Ref. 29292-42THE SEARCH is on for Swindon's unsung heroes.

Residents are being given the chance to nominate entrants for this year's People of Wiltshire Awards.

Now in its third year, the scheme backed by Newsquest Wiltshire, which publishes the Evening Advertiser honours people who make an outstanding contribution to community life.

Among those honoured last year was Sue Ozolins, who picked up the Carer in the Community award for founding the Swindon-based Project Spear charity, which helps people overcome self-injury compulsions.

The other categories are the:

Youth Award

Sporting Success

Good Neighbour

Environment Award

Employer of the Year

Individuals get £500, while the winning business will net £500 worth of free advertising.

The Newsquest vintage bus is touring the county to help promote the awards, run by Wiltshire County Council, and will be in Swindon town centre tomorrow between 10am and noon.

Wiltshire County Council vice-chairman Coun Allan Peach, who is helping to run the awards, said: "This is the start of a month-long drive to ask the people of Wiltshire to nominate those unsung heroes they feel deserve recognition.

"This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for us to let everyone know that the help these people give to their neighbours, em-ployees, and environment is greatly appreciated.

"We look forward this year to honouring even more of the people who make Wiltshire special."

The winners will be announced in June at a gala evening in Trowbridge. To nominate a good citizen, people should simply fill in the form printed above.

Forms are also available in libraries, doctors' surgeries, pharmacies, opticians, dental surgeries, and youth and leisure centres.

Nominations can also be made on line HERE.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on April 30.

Tamash Lal