Nominations are now open for the community Civic Awards 2012. Sponsored by Serco, the council's service partner for Streetscene services, the awards are in their sixth year.

A Civic Award, is the highest accolade bestowed by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. The awards are presented annually to people who live or work in the borough for extraordinary commitment, dedication, energy and effort in their field or towards achieving a particular goal.

Entries require two nominators and should be submitted by Friday 17 February 2011. Open to all, the panel is particularly keen to hear about the achievements of young people.

Up to four nominations will be selected by a community awards panel, Chaired by the Mayor, with finalists contacted during March. Presentations will take place at the Annual Council Meeting and Reception on Monday 21 May 2012, where winners will receive a trophy, certificate and cheque for £250 and be entered into the Civic Awards Roll of Honour Book for posterity.

Winners for 2011 were:-

Sue Glynn for her service to Christchurch Baptist Church

Rosemary Craig for her work with Welwyn Hatfield Citizens Advice Bureau and afternoon club for the elderly in Welwyn Garden city

Dennis and Eleanor Draper for their fundraising on behalf of local charities

Peter Oakenfull for this environmental work at Commons Local Nature Reserve

The Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield, Councillor Carl Storer, said: "The awards are now in their sixth year and each year, I am inspired by the commitment and dedication demonstrated by Welwyn Hatfield residents for the good of our community. The awards provide a great opportunity to say 'thank you' to someone deserving and I am proud to have the opportunity of publicly recognising the efforts of such individuals. I am delighted to declare nominations for the 2012 Civic Awards now open”.

Nomination Forms can be downloaded at Civic awards

A limited number of forms are available from any of the Welwyn Hatfield council receptions or by emailing Wel Hat

or telephoning 01707 357000.