NOMINATIONS are open for the Newbury Town Civic Awards which celebrates achievements, honours volunteers and recognises those who make a difference in the community.

This year, Newbury Town Council is launching a new Environmental Contribution award aimed at those in the community whose work benefits the local environment.

READ ALSO: Kate Middleton has chance meeting with former school teachers from Pangbourne.

Nominations are now open for the awards which include the Newbury Civic Award 2020, the Newbury Town Business Civic Award 2020, the Newbury Young Persons Civic Award 2020 and the new award for Environmental Contribution 2020.

The mayor of Newbury, councillor Elizabeth O’Keeffe, said: “We are really proud that Newbury Town Council have included this new category.

"We look forward to seeing the individuals, organisations and projects that are put forward for the new Award which make Newbury a more environmentally friendly place to live.”

The three other awards highlight the huge amount of voluntary work carried out in the community by local individuals.

Cllr O’Keeffe expressed her delight at launching all four Awards.

The Newbury Town Civic Award is now in its 23rd year, it’s the twelfth year of the Young Persons Civic Award and the third year of the Newbury Town Business Civic Award.

Now it’s the first year of the Newbury Town Environmental Contribution Civic Award.

The winners for 2019 were Terry and Maureen Dummett, Lily-May Fisher and the Newbury Weekly News.

READ ALSO: Caversham to get its very own Nathan's Nibbles cafe.

Terry and Maureen received the Newbury Town Civic Award in recognition of their free time given to increase safety for the community in Wash Common over the past 30 years, and their activity with the Neighbourhood Watch.

Lily-May Fisher was the winner of the Young Persons Civic Award who is a young carer for her mum, dealing with adult issues and taking on responsibilities well beyond her years.

The winner of the Newbury Town Business Civic Award was the Newbury Weekly News who championed the Rosemary Appeal to successfully raise £5.4m, supported the Newbury Soup Kitchen and for running the Over 80s Parcel Fund.

Nomination forms for all four Civic Awards can be collected from The Town Hall, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5AA or call 01635 35486 or they can be posted or emailed.

The closing date for nominations to be received is Sunday, March 15, 2020 and presentation of awards will take place on the evening of Wednesday, April 1, 2020.