PEOPLE who want to nominate for the Best of Darlington awards have only one week left to send in their entries.

Nominations for the first awards have been pouring in from people across the borough who think an individual, group or business they know deserves recognition.

The accolades are designed to highlight and reward outstanding work in the community last year, or efforts over and above what is expected in an everyday job.

The closing date for entries is Tuesday, January 31, and people are encouraged to send their nominations in as soon as possible.

Winners of the awards - sponsored by Darlington Football Club, organised by Darlington Partnership and supported by The Northern Echo and Darlington Borough Council - will each receive a £100 prize, and two of the overall winners will be crowned Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year.

They will also be invited to a ceremony at Darlington FC's TFM Arena on Friday, March 10, which will be attended be some of the town's leading community figures.

The categories open for nomination are: public servant of the year; carer and young carer of year; contribution to business; contribution to the community; contribution to the arts.

Details of how to enter are given on the nomination form.