Nominations have opened for Epping Forest Young Citizen of the Year Award 2019.

The annual award recognises young people’s exceptional contributions to the District which can be in terms of showing outstanding courage or commitment, serving the community or expending extraordinary energy for a particular cause.

All 11-18 year-olds living in Epping Forest district are eligible for nomination, with the finalists invited to the District Council`s Civic Awards in March 2019.

The winner will receive £300 and a certificate of achievement.

Councillor Richard Bassett, chairman of the council, said: "The Young Citizen of the Year Award highlights the positive contributions that young people make throughout our district in so many different ways.

"Many of these young people are unsung heroes and we want to recognise the tremendous contributions they make to their communities.

"So if someone springs to mind, now is the time to nominate them for a Civic Award."

This year’s winner Mitchell Tassie from North Weald was head cadet for the Epping Forest Volunteer Police Cadets.

He was described as “a young man working to improve the lives of many in his local community by helping to make it a safer place to live.

"He puts his community at the heart of everything he does and is a truly kind, caring and inspirational young man.”

To nominate a young person for the Young Citizen of the Year award either go to www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/youngcitizen or pick up a nomination from council buildings, libraries and secondary schools.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 30th November 2018.