Cheshire East Mayor Councillor Roger West joined Cheshire’s Silk 106.9’s Breakfast Show presenter Andy Bailey this week to launch the radio station’s Local Hero Awards 2011.

Now in their 13th year, the awards recognise the unsung heroes of Cheshire East.

This year’s ceremony is set to be the biggest ever with 12 awards being handed out on the night. The categories are as follows:

• Champion Child;
• Social Enterprise of the Year;
• Parent/ Guardian of the Year
• Carer of the Year;
• Local Business of the Year;
• Act of Courage;
• Teacher of the Year;
• Neighbour of the Year;
• Volunteer of the Year;
• Young Achiever of the Year;
• Keith Alexander Award; and
• Pride of Cheshire Award.

Cheshire East Council is supporting the awards and will be presenting the Pride of Cheshire Award, which is the overall winner from all the categories.

The ceremony will be held at Macclesfield Town Football Club on Friday, November 18.

Nominations are now open and they need to be in by November 4. To nominate, and to find out more about the categories, go to www.silk1069.com   Councillor West will be part of a panel that discusses and judges the nominations.

He said: “I am delighted that Cheshire East Council is supporting these awards again. Thousands of people across Cheshire East, both young and old, selflessly give up their time to help others and it is only right that their efforts are recognised.

“During these tough economic times, these people help make a difference and, along with efforts from the Council, work to improve our community life. If you know someone who you think is a ‘Local Hero’ please go to the website and nominate them.”

Phil Rodgers, Head of Programming at Cheshire’s Silk 106.9, said: “The Local Hero Awards are the highlight of the local calendar. The fact that we are now in our 13th year is testament to the event’s popularity. The awards bring together everything that is good about community life in Cheshire East, people giving up their time to help others.”