YOU can give a young person and their family a moment they will remember forever by nominating them for the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.

The seventh annual awards are launched today by the Somerset County Gazette, Bridgwater Mercury, Chard and Ilminster News, Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News, the Rotary Club of Taunton and BBC Somerset.

A prize fund has been made possible thanks to sponsorship by Rotary, Somerset College, Avon and Somerset Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and Somerset Cricket Museum.

All we need now is for YOU to nominate young people under the age of 20 who deserve a pat on the back (and some cash in the bank) for their outstanding efforts.

Peter Renshaw, of Rotary, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with the County Gazette and BBC Somerset in our quest to find and reward exceptional young people in Somerset.

“The vast majority of young people are a credit to their county and this is all about rewarding them for going the extra mile.”

Alex Cameron, editor of the Newsquest Somerset, publisher of this website, said: “The presentation ceremony is an emotional occasion for young people and their families – we’re proud to be giving you a chance to make some people happy!

“There are many exceptional young people in our county and this is a great opportunity to celebrate what they do.”

The awards will be presented at a ceremony hosted by BBC Somerset’s Emma Britton at Somerset College’s Conference Centre – which is being donated for the night by the college – in Taunton on March 7.

For more details and an entry form, click here

NOMINATING someone special for the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards is easy.

The awards are not split into categories – we just want to hear about young people who have shown that extra spirit to do something exceptional, whatever it may be.

It could be achievement in sport and music or caring for others and the environment – or perhaps even a one-off act of heroism.

Nominees must be under the age of 20 on March 7, 2014, and they must also live in Somerset.

Send the nominee’s full name, age, school/college (where appropriate), postal address, contact phone number(s) and a maximum of 200 words on their achievements to alex.cameron@nqsw.co.uk (and don’t forget to include your own name and contact details.

You can also post entries to ‘Youth Awards’, Somerset County Gazette, St James’ Street, Taunton TA1 1JR, or you can nominate someone on-line - click here for the details and the entry form.

Please notify the nominee (or their parents, where appropriate) so that they are aware that you have put them forward.

The deadline for nominations is the end of Thursday, February 6, 2014.

After that the judges will meet and then the winners will be invited with two representatives to the presentation ceremony.