UNSUNG heroes who keep their community safe will be honoured with a new award created by Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston.

The Outstanding Contribution to Community Safety accolade aims to recognise individuals, volunteers and groups across the county who have delivered a project or scheme to improve the safety of those around them.

The winner will be announced at the commissioner’s annual conference at Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester in January.

The winning area of work or project will receive £500, with two highly commended nominations receiving £250 each. This money must be reinvested back into the work which is being recognised.

Nominations are open to individuals and teams from across the statutory, community, voluntary, and business sectors.

They can be submitted by anyone who has benefited from, or witnessed, the efforts of the nominees and their work, including managers, colleagues, or members of the public.

Nomination forms can be sent by post to: PCC for Essex, 3 Hoffmans Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GU.

For further assistance, contact the PCC on 01245 291600.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Thursday, December 11.