The shortlist of finalists has been unveiled for the Mayor’s Pride Awards 2013 which celebrate local people and groups for their achievements and community work.

This year the judges had their work cut out, having received the highest number of entries so far for this annual recognition scheme.

Finalists include Highfield Park Trust, Leoni Kibbey who organised the St Albans Film Festival and Earthworks St Albans, which provides horticultural training for people with learning difficulties.

The awards are organised by St Albans District Council and give recognition to local people and groups who have gone the extra mile for others.

The winners will be announced at the Mayor’s Pride Awards ceremony on Thursday, October 24.

The event is free and will take place at the Alban Arena from 6.30pm.

The city’s mayor Annie Brewster, said: "I am thrilled by the number of nominations we have received and both humbled and inspired by the stories being told about remarkable people in St Albans District.

"The judging panel will definitely have a tough challenge selecting the actual winners. Whether you are nominees or not, you are most welcome to join us at the glamorous awards ceremony, just book your place online or by telephone."

Tickets are available for the awards ceremony by reservation only. To book your seats, telephone the Alban Arena on: 01727 844488 or visit: http://www.alban-arena.co.uk/events/mayors-pride-awards-2013/ The finalists for the Mayor’s Pride Awards 2013 are:

Community Champion of the Year

•Janet Audley Charles - She runs Old London Road Pre-School, which promotes a supportive and loving community atmosphere.

•Alison Bainbridge - She combines running her own business and cancer charity shop ‘Raindrops on Roses’ which sells local arts and crafts.

•Sally Tyers - She started ‘Herts Postnatal Illness Support’ after suffering from the illness herself. Sally is constantly thinking of new ways to support women with post-natal depression and their families.

Cultural Innovation Award

•Leoni Kibbey - Organised the St Albans Film Festival.

•St Albans Girls School - STAGS in Colours evening promoted diversity and acceptance of different cultures.

•St Albans International Organ Festival - International musicians played during the festival while local volunteers helped run the event.

Young Person of Distinction

•Michael Albon - He commits a lot of time to various voluntary roles, including the scouts, ReachOut Plus, Waterways and Enable.

•Cerys Falvey - She has played a key part in St Albans Youth Council.

•Miriam Quinn - She is a student at Sir John Lawes School who is an active volunteer in the wider community and for charities like Oxfam.

•Nick Sutton - As Vice-Chair of the St Albans Youth Council, Nick has highlighted the need for affordable public transport and commissioned a report on mental health provision for young people.

Community Project of the Year

•Highfield Park Trust - Hither Wood Project. The project encouraged people from different parts of the community to plant trees and create new woodland.

•2:67 Project - Love Harpenden. The project involved young people promoting random acts of kindness in the community.

•St Albans Youth Council - Mental Health Project. The project acknowledged the mental health problems experienced by local young people and helped put in place services to support them.

Community Oriented Business of the Year

•Golden Giving - Provides a free website for charities to receive donations online.

•Harpenden Building Society - Supports local people, events and charities.

•Phillips Funeral Service - Provides a bereavement service and works with medical professionals and the clergy to provide support to the community.

Environmental Champion of the Year

•The Waffle House - Supports local producers and green charities.

•Tom Short - A secondary school teacher who runs an urban farm at his school and teaches children about food sources. Tom also looks after the farm at weekends and engages and promotes recycling to the pupils.

•Transition St Albans - The organisation promotes energy saving and raises awareness of the importance of being environmentally friendly.

Voluntary Sector Award

•Sandra Ashley - She volunteers for the Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme providing support to young people and their families.

•Keith Faulkner of Grace Muriel House - He set up the voluntary care home and continues to run it as a volunteer.

•Mary Hudson - The 80 year-old has volunteered with Home-Start for 11 years. She supports local families and children, is a foster mother and also volunteers at Oxfam.

Inclusive Communities Award

•Earthworks St Albans - Gives young people with learning difficulties or mental health problems the chance to gain work experience and skills through horticulture.

•Ann Scorer - She created the St Albans Interfaith Group after 9/11. The group aims to increase understanding and respect between women of different faiths and backgrounds.

•Wheathampstead Parish Council - Works to create community events that all of the village can get involved with.

•Ian Woods - He gives disabled young people the opportunity to get involved with sport.