PUBLIC-spirited youngsters in the West Mercia area are being sought for a special award.

With just a month to go before the closing date for the police annual Good Citizen Award, the force is urging teachers, group leaders and members of the public to nominate a young person.

The boy or girl should be under the age of 18 and have made an outstanding contribution to their local community in the last year.

Nomination forms have been sent to head teachers at primary and high schools across the force area and can also be downloaded from the force website www.westmercia.police.uk.

PC Taryn Green, who is running the award scheme this year, said: "If you know of a young person who has made a difference to someone else's life through an act of bravery, generosity or community spirit, I urge you to nominate them for this year's award before Friday, May 25. West Mercia is keen to ensure that every young person who deserves recognition for their actions is nominated for a Good Citizen Award."

Groups of no more than three young people may also be nominated for an award.

Good Citizen Awards are presented by West Mercia in partnership with local education authorities in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.