Do you know someone in north Norfolk who deserves an award for their work in the community?

Do you know someone who deserves to be thanked for the work they do in the community or an organisation which deserves praise?

North Norfolk District Council has announced details of its second Big Society Awards Night to recognise its community champions. And, for the first time, members of the public are being asked to make nominations.

The prize-giving will be held at the Little Theatre in Sheringham on March 23 2017 to celebrate the spirit that helps to make the region such a great place to live.

North Norfolk News readers are being asked to nominate a project or a person that has made a difference in their community by January 27, 2017.

Categories open to public nomination are: Big Society Community Project Award - for projects that are based in or benefit people in the district; Big Society Voluntary Services Award for Sport - for someone who has made an outstanding contribution to sport in the district; Big Society Voluntary Services Award for someone who has made an outstanding contribution for young people in the district; Big Society Voluntary Services Award for someone who has made an outstanding contribution for older people in the district; and Big Society Voluntary Services Award for someone who has made an outstanding contribution to their neighbourhood.

NNDC will also be inviting projects which were awarded a Big Society Fund between 2014and 2016 to make nominations in two other categories which are: Outstanding Contribution to a Big Society Funded Project - by an Adult; Outstanding Contribution to a Big Society Funded Project - by a Young Person aged under 18.

NNDC will be writing to the projects to ask for nominations directly.

The local authority will also present a Lifetime Achievement Award on at the awards.

Councillor Tom FitzPatrick, Leader of North Norfolk District Council and chairman of the Big Society Fund Panel, said: 'The Big Society is all about supporting community projects and these awards are all about recognising the exceptional community spirit in our area.

'Everyone who contributes to their community and helps others deserves recognition and I hope people will come forward with their nominations and publically thank the people who help others.

'Since 2012 the Big Society Fund has funded over 163 community projects to date to the tune of £1,294,433 including: renovating play and recreational areas, creation of new community amenities, provision of sports hubs, and equipment and improvements to village halls.'

A Big Society Awards event was held for the first time in 2014; this will be the second awards ceremony. For the first time members of the public are being asked to make nominations, the project or person does not have to be connected to a Big Society Funded project.

Nomination forms can be collected from the reception at North Norfolk District Council's headquarters in Cromer. Alternatively, they can be requested by calling 01263 516248 or download them from the council's website - www.north-norfolk.gov.ukCompleted forms can be returned by email to: Supporting.Communities@north-norfolk.gov.uk or post to: Big Society Community Awards, NNDC, Holt Road, Cromer, NR27 9EN.