Whether an entrepreneurial whizz or a sporting star, the county's outstanding young achievers will be celebrated at the inaugural Youth Awards: Celebrating Achievement ceremony next February.

Eastern Daily Press: The Bernard Matthews Youth Awards 2014. All the awards winners with overall winner, Jody Baxter, 18, front. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Bernard Matthews Youth Awards 2014. All the awards winners with overall winner, Jody Baxter, 18, front. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Norwich's OPEN Youth Trust will hold the awards, filling the void left by the Bernard Matthews Youth Awards, which used to be hosted in the venue but ceased in 2015.

John Gordon-Saker, chief executive of OPEN, felt it was wrong that the exceptional efforts of our region's youth had gone unrewarded over the past few years.

He said: 'Following on from the format of the former Bernard Matthews Youth Awards, we wanted to re-establish these awards to reward the inspirational young people we have living in Norfolk. It is important that we recognise the impact our young people make, as they are the key to the future of the region.'

Schools, youth clubs, sports teams and individuals are all being encouraged to nominate the youths who they believe deserve special credit for their exceptional accomplishments.

Eastern Daily Press: Bernard Matthews Youth Awards 2015. The winners with, centre back, Andrew Sherwood from Bernard Matthews and, front centre, actress Dani Harmer. Picture: ANTONY KELLYBernard Matthews Youth Awards 2015. The winners with, centre back, Andrew Sherwood from Bernard Matthews and, front centre, actress Dani Harmer. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

To qualify, nominees must be from the county and aged between 11 and 19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs.

The award categories are as follows:

n Community

n Sport (individual)

Eastern Daily Press: The 2013 Bernard Matthews Youth Awards, with host, Anna Williamson. Joint winners of the Hero Award, Jo Bivens and Clare Lincoln, with the youngsters who nominated them. Picture: Denise BradleyThe 2013 Bernard Matthews Youth Awards, with host, Anna Williamson. Joint winners of the Hero Award, Jo Bivens and Clare Lincoln, with the youngsters who nominated them. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

n Sport (group)

n Arts

n Charity

n Entrepeneur

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich-based OPEN Youth Trust is set to hold the inaugural Youth Awards: Celebrating Achievement in Norfolk in February 2018. Photo: supplied by OPEN Youth TrustNorwich-based OPEN Youth Trust is set to hold the inaugural Youth Awards: Celebrating Achievement in Norfolk in February 2018. Photo: supplied by OPEN Youth Trust (Image: supplied by OPEN Youth Trust)

n Perserverance

n Volunteer

n Education

There is also an additional 'Hero' category, which offers young people the chance to nominate an adult who has inspired or helped them in some way.

The closing date for nominations is Monday, November 30 and nominations can be made online at opennorwich.org.uk/whats-on/youth-awards-2018/, or by picking up a nomination form from the box office or the cafe at OPEN.

An independent panel will judge the awards and TV presenter of The One Show and Countryfile fame, Joe Crowley, will host the awards ceremony on Wednesday, February 28.

The awards are sponsored by City College Norwich, Norwich City Football Club and Norfolk County Council.