MORE than 30 individuals, groups and businesses are in the running for Darlington's annual awards to find the town's unsung heroes.

Judges poured over dozens of entries last month to come up with the shortlists for the Best of Darlington awards.

Winners will be announced at the ceremony held at Darlington College, on February 26.

It is the fifth year the awards have been held.

There are 12 individual awards, plus an separate photography competition. An overall citizen and young citizen are also chosen.

This year's nominees are:

Contribution to the community (adults): the Reverend John Elliston, Darlington Mind, Cathy Lund.

Young person's contribution to the community: Brandon Holloway, Hummersknott 900 club.

Carer of the year: Brenda Moss.

Neighbour from heaven: Jeff and Sheila Alderson, Karen Gaylor, Ann Hancock.

Putting Darlington on the map: Margaret Ledger-Scott, Hannah Marshall, Penny Porter.

Contribution to sport: Steve Davies, Thomas Denham, Brian Dobinson, George Rutherford.

Contribution to the arts: Mark Jameson, Rebecca McGarvie, Jolyon and Alice Potter.

Contribution to the environment: Chirs and Liz Hodgson, Sadberge Parish Council, John Wade Group.

Contribution to business: Gallerina, Harrison Display Systems, Lingfield Point.

Academic excellence: Jonathan Coulthard, Lucy Downes, Josh Philips, Laura Williams.

Student of the year: Megan Armistead, Adam Bainbridge, Mike Ferguson, Sarah Jones, Hannah Russell.

Volunteer of the year: Jean Crosby, Noel Hemmings.

Last year's overall winners were Robin Blair, a greengrocer and owner of a family-run market stall for 48 years, and Ashleigh Trevarrow, the town's former youth MP.

Other high-profile winners were A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, which won the Putting Darlington on the map accolade, and Claire Louise Hunter, who was named best student of the year after completing an IT course despite losing a baby and giving birth to its surviving twin.