Warwick's MP has opened nominations for his third annual awards event celebrating local heroes.

MP for Warwick and Leamington, Matt Western has announced that his Community Excellence Awards event will return on February 16, with submissions open until January 7.

Local residents within the constituency can nominate individuals, businesses, community groups or teams also based in the constituency.

The MP started his awards back in 2020 to give recognition to the "tremendous contributions" of people working in public service and voluntary sectors "which so often go without recognition".

Last year's awards received over 100 nominations, from which there were eight winners including the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, who bravely responded to the industrial fire in south Leamington in August 2021.

Over 1,000 people tuned in to watch the online event, bringing people from across the constituency together to celebrate the spirit of Warwick, Leamington, Whitnash and surrounding villages.

Mr Western said: "It has been fantastic to be able to celebrate the incredible efforts of people from across the constituency over the past two years and I am delighted to be hosting my MP Awards again this coming February.

"As we face the cost-of-living crisis amid the chaos at the head of the Conservative Government, it has been members of our community who have stepped up to tackle the crisis locally; residents have set up foodbanks and raised money for local charities to support families struggling to make ends meet.

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"It is more important than ever that we recognise the incredible efforts of these local heroes who contribute so much to our communities."

Nominations for local heroes can be submitted on Matt Western MP's website here.