UNSUNG heroes across the borough will be rewarded for their dedication to the community in the first Best of Darlington awards.

The awards, launched today, are the first of their kind to be held in the borough, and celebrate achievements that took place throughout last year, recognising unpaid work carried out by nominees, or commitment beyond the call of duty in their everyday work.

People can nominate individuals, groups or businesses that they feel have made an outstanding contribution, two of which will go on to be crowned as Darlington's Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year.

Nominations can be made for public servants, carers, or people who have made a contribution to arts, business or the community, as long as they are a resident of the Darlington borough and their work was carried out last year.

Awards will also be given for the outstanding young person, sports person, volunteer and neighbour, but they will be selected by a judging panel based on competitions and ceremonies held last year, such as the town's Vibe awards for courageous youngsters, and The Northern Echo's Neighbour from Heaven.

Winners of each category will receive £100 and a certificate. The new Darlington Citizen and Young Citizen of 2005 will be chosen from the group winners.

The awards - organised by Darlington Partnership, sponsored by Darlington Football Club, and supported by The Northern Echo and Darlington Borough Council - are open for nominations until Tuesday, January 31.

Winners will be brought together in a glittering ceremony at Darlington FC's TFM Arena on Friday, March 10, which will be attended by some of the town's leading community figures.

Last night, groups and companies gave their backing to the inaugural Best of Darlington awards.

Alasdair MacConachie, chairman of Darlington Partnership, said: "We hope these awards that reflect the best of Darlington become an annual feature and that the award winners feel very proud of their achievements. We at Darlington Partnership will do all that we can to help them celebrate these achievements."

Chairman of Darlington Football Club, Stewart Davies, said: "We are proud to be supporting these awards that celebrate the achievements of the people and the businesses of Darlington.

"Many of these people will have supported the club in one way or another over the years and this is our chance to give a little bit back by hosting the event."

Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo, said: "Newspapers are often accused of concentrating too much on bad news.

"This is an opportunity to celebrate good news and The Northern Echo is delighted to be supporting these awards, which I hope will become an annual event."

Ada Burns, chief executive of Darlington Borough Council, said: "The council is delighted to be involved in these awards which celebrate the achievements of ordinary people.

"So many people in Darlington carry out work that is not formally recognised, but that makes a huge difference to those around them and the community in general, and the council is eager to recognise the good work that so many people in the borough do that makes such a difference to all our lives."