The finalists for the Mayor’s Pride Awards, which honour local people and groups for their achievements and work in the community, have been announced.

More than 50 nominations were received for this year’s awards and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, which is free to attend, at the Alban Arena on 26 March, 6.30pm.

The 2015 finalists are:

Community Champion of the Year

  • Annette Cooper- Trustee of the Pioneer Club
  • Abdul Kadir - Chair of St Albans Racial Equality Council
  • Denise Parsons - Trestle Theatre
  • Alasdair Melville - supporting homeless charities
  • Mick Tutton - Dairy Crest milkman

Cultural Innovation of the Year

  • Andrew and Simon Salter - for the film they made to raise awareness of testicular cancer, particularly amongst young men
  • Jackie Scopes, Jane Waller and Penelope Pines - for delivering St Albans Cathedral Flower Festival
  • Springfield Access Group - Oaklands College - for raising over £7,000 towards a hydrotherapy pool for the College and community

Community Project of the Year

  • Earthworks St Albans
  • Vivian and Christine Nutton - Sandridge900+
  • Debbie Tyson - Special Olympics St Albans Community Oriented Business of the Year
  • Sandra Ashley - Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme
  • Sophie Banks and Angie Cronin - Loudbird PR
  • Melvyn Teare - Computer Friendly

Young Person of Distinction Award

  • Emma Cox
  • James Charteris, Alex Gillingham, Rohan Mapara

Environmental Champion of the Year

  • Earthworks St Albans • Andrei Lussman - Lussmanns Fish and Grill Restaurants
  • Park Street Litter Pickers, volunteer litter group

Voluntary Sector Award

  • Sandra Ashley - Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme
  • Radio Veruluma
  • Lesley Wray - St Albans City Youth Football Club

Inclusive Communities Award

  • Don Dell - Chairman of St Albans’ branch of the Royal British Legion
  • Earthworks St Albans
  • Rev Tony Hurle - Interfaith group