NOMINATIONS are now open for the County Gazette’s third annual Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.

We have again teamed up with the Rotary Club of Taunton and BBC Somerset to give special young people in the county the recognition they deserve.

A prize fund of more than £1,000 has come from donations from the Rotary Club of Taunton, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Somerset County Council and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

The awards will be presented at an Oscars-style ceremony at Somerset College’s conference centre in Taunton, which has been provided free by the college.

A guest celebrity is being lined up to present the awards – keep reading for details.

Ken Bird, editor-in-chief of the County Gazette, said: “This award scheme grows in popularity every year and it's easy to see why. The young people who receive awards are truly inspirational and the presentation ceremony is a night they will remember for ever.”

To nominate someone, tell us about them!

Send us their full name, age, school/college (where appropriate), postal address, and contact phone number(s).

There are no categories – just write up to a maximum of 200 words detailing their accomplishments and include your own name and contact details.

Send the details to newsdesk@ countygazette.co.uk or to Youth Awards, Somerset County Gazette, St James Street, Taunton, TA1 1JR.

You can also nominate someone using the special entry form on this website - click on the Related Link on this page.

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

Nominees must be under the age of 20 on January 15, 2010 – the day the awards will be presented – and they must also live in Somerset.

The deadline for nominations is midday on December 18.