WYRE Forest residents are being urged to celebrate the district’s young unsung heroes by nominating them for the first ever British Citizen Youth Awards (BCYA).

The awards hope to shine a light on youngsters who have positively impacted the community, helped a local charity or undertaken exceptional activities in support of others.

BCYA co-founder Mike Faulkner said: "Selfless people are the key to making our society and communities the special places that they are.

"This includes many unsung heroes who are often responsible for amazing things but don’t receive the praise they are due.

"There is no age limit for selfless acts of kindness which is why we’re launching an award specially designed to honour under-16s.

"We’d like to encourage people to help us give our amazing youngsters the credit they deserve.

"If you know a young person under the age of 16 who deserves to be recognised for their commitment to a good cause, then put them forward.

"We need the public’s help to find our young hidden heroes."

The awards, which are run in association with Specsavers, accept nominations until September 19, with a list of this year’s recipients set to be published in October.

Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, said: "The society we live in tomorrow will be shaped by the children of today, which is why championing amazing young role models is so very important.

"These unsung heroes are the rising stars of the future – let us shine a light on them and celebrate!"

Selected nominees will be presented with BCYA titles and medals at The Palace of Westminster on October 18.