GOOD citizens who have made an outstanding contribution to their local community are sought for a special award ceremony.

There is still time to let West Mercia Constabulary know about youngsters who could be eligible for the force's annual Good Citizen Award.

The closing day for nominations is Sunday, May 25, and teachers, group leaders and members of the public are being urged to nominate any young person aged 18 or under for the award.

The awards are presented to young people who have carried out acts of outstanding courage or generosity, or who have displayed immense community spirit over the last 12 months.

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 Sergeant Tim Williams, 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.

"West Mercia is keen to ensure that every young person who deserves recognition for their actions is nominated for a Good Citizen Award.

"We are always enormously impressed by the outstanding contribution that the young people nominated are making to their communities.

"Their achievements are an inspiration to us all.

The awards were introduced in 1987 and small groups of no more than three young people may also be nominated for an award.

They are presented by West Mercia in partnership with Local Education Authorities in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Ten nominees - two from each division - are then put forward for the force's Good Citizen of the Year award, which is presented at a gala award evening hosted by Chief Constable Paul West at force headquarters, Hindlip Hall, near Worcester in October.