WILTSHIRE'S own awards scheme has itself been praised in a national awards ceremony.

The pioneering People of Wiltshire Awards was short-listed in the PR on a Shoestring category at the Institute of Public Relations Excellence in Communications Awards.

The People of Wiltshire Awards were the first of their kind in the country, devised to honour outstanding contributions to community life by local people.

Sian Penlington, head of communications at Wiltshire County Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted that the awards have achieved national recognition.

"Their success is entirely down to the support it was given by the public and our partners, the local media, and the generous financial backing of business.

"We have been approached by other public service organisations wishing to hold a similar scheme in their area and are already hard at work on the People's Awards 2003."

The People of Wiltshire Awards was co-ordinated by Wiltshire County Council in partnership with Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce, Wiltshire Constabulary, Wiltshire Health Authority, Wiltshire Fire Brigade, Agenda 21, Community First, Newsquest Wiltshire, BBC Wiltshire Sound and local councils.

The awards were sponsored by Nationwide Building Society, Virgin Mobile, Wiltshire Social Services and the Orders of St John Care Trust, Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, Hills Waste and Persimmon Homes.

The public nominated individuals and organisations in six categories including Good Neighbour, Carer in the Community and Employer of the Year.